South American Marinade Recipes

CHIMICHURRI MARINADE

Steps:

• Combine vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt, garlic, shallot, and chile in a medium bowl and let stand for 10 minutes. Stir in cilantro, parsley, and oregano. Using a fork, whisk in oil. Remove 1/2 cup chimichurri to a small bowl, season with salt to taste, and reserve as sauce. Put meat in a glass, stainless-steel, or ceramic dish. Toss with remaining marinade. Cover and chill for at least 3 hours or overnight.
• Remove meat from marinade, pat dry, and grill.
• The finish:
• Spoon reserved sauce over the grilled meat.

EASY BRAZILIAN SPICED SALMON

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Grease a baking sheet.
• Place salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet. Mix olive oil, brown sugar, garlic, smoked paprika, paprika, and chile powder together in a bowl. Spread mixture over salmon fillets. Squeeze lemon juice on top.
• Bake in the preheated oven until fish flakes easily with a fork, 13 to 15 minutes.

PERUVIAN GRILLED CHICKEN (POLLO A LA BRASA)

Steps:

• Marinate chicken:
• Blend soy sauce, lime juice, garlic, cumin, paprika, oregano, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and oil in a blender.
• Put chicken in a large sealable bag and add marinade. Seal bag and marinate, chilled, 8 to 24 hours.
• Grill chicken:
• If using a charcoal grill, open vents on bottom and lid of grill. Light a large chimney starter full of charcoal (preferably hardwood). When coals are lit, dump them out along opposite sides of bottom rack, leaving a space free of coals (the size of the quartered chicken) in middle. When you can hold your hand 5 inches above the grill rack directly over coals for 3 to 4 seconds, coals will be medium-hot.
• If using a gas grill, preheat all burners on high, then reduce heat to medium-high.
• Discard marinade, then pat chicken dry. Oil grill rack, then grill chicken over area with no coals (or over a turned-off burner), skin side down first, covered, turning over once, until cooked through, 30 to 35 minutes (add charcoal to maintain heat).

JACK'S OLD SOUTH MEAT MARINADE

Steps:

• Heat and whisk together until sugar and salt dissolve.

SOUTH AMERICAN MARINADE

Steps:

• 1. Place all of the ingredients except the vegetable in a large bowl. Mix gently to combine. 2. Add the vegetable of your choice and let marinate at room temperature for at least 20 minutes. For a stronger flavor, leave the vegetables in the marinade for up to 1 hour before serving. Tip . . . Limes can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

SOUTH AMERICAN MARINATED CEDAR-PLANKED STEAK

Steps:

• Immerse plank in water, placing a weight on top of plank to keep it submerged. Soak at least 4 hours or overnight. Meanwhile, mix dressing, onions, parsley, cilantro, garlic and red pepper. Remove 1/2 cup of the dressing mixture; set aside for later use. Pour remaining dressing mixture into large resealable plastic bag; add steak. Seal bag; turn over several times to evenly coat steak with the dressing mixture. Refrigerate at least 2 hours to marinate.
• Preheat grill to high heat. Remove steak from marinade; discard bag and marinade. Grill steak 3 minutes on each side; remove from grill. Remove plank from water; brush top with oil. Top with steak. Place on grate of grill; cover with lid. Reduce grill to medium heat.
• Grill 15 to 20 minutes or until medium doneness (160 degrees F). Remove steak from grill; discard plank. Cover steak loosely with foil; let stand 5 minutes. Cut steak into thin slices. Spoon reserved dressing mixture over steak.

CHURRASCO (GRILLED MARINATED SKIRT STEAK)

Steps:

• Pat the steaks dry and place in a large zip-top bag.
• Combine the garlic, oregano, vinegar, olive oil, adobo seasoning and salt in the bowl of a pilón or mortar and pestle, or a small food processor. Grind into a thin paste, then pour the marinade over the steak. Zip the bag then shake well to coat the meat, rubbing in gently as needed. Let rest on the counter for 10 to 20 minutes, or refrigerate overnight if you have time. Be sure to let the steak come to room temperature before grilling.
• If using a charcoal grill, start by building a fire with hardwood and kindling, then adding lump hardwood charcoal once the fire is kicking. Allow the fire to mellow. If using a gas grill, set the temperature to 500 degrees.
• Meanwhile, make the wasakaka: Combine the lime juice, parsley, cilantro, oregano, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper in a small bowl and whisk to incorporate. If you'd like a creamier sauce, blend in a small food processor or blender. (Wasakaka will keep for 3 or 4 days in a sealed jar in the refrigerator.)
• Once the grill is ready, remove skirt steak from the bag and shake off excess marinade. Place on the grill and sear for 1 to 3 minutes. Using tongs, pull up the corner to ensure the steak has a good dark char, bordering on burned in places, before flipping, then cook for 1 more minute for rare, 2 minutes for medium-rare. Be careful not to overcook or steak will be tough.
• Remove steak from grill and let rest for 5 to 7 minutes. Slice into strips and pour over wasakaka, or serve sauce on the side. Taste and sprinkle with additional salt, if desired.

SOUTH AMERICAN STEAK SAUCE

Steps:

• Mix all the above ingredients together.
• Quantity of vinegar may be adjusted to attain desired consistency.
• Let stand in refrigerator overnight so flavors can blend.
• Stir before use, and refrigerate when not in use.
• Especially good marinade for steaks and pork chops.

SOUTH AMERICAN-STYLE STEAK

Steps:

• Place steaks in shallow baking dish.
• Pour orange, lemon and lime juices over steaks.
• Add garlic and turn steaks to coat.
• Marinate steaks, covered, for 4 hours or overnight in refrigerator.
• Heat oil in a heavy skillet (I use cast iron) over high heat until almost smoking.
• Season with salt& pepper, and cayenne.
• Fry steaks until brown on both sides, turning once, about 4 minutes.
• Transfer to plates and serve.
• You can grill if you prefer.