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A basic paprika marinade can be used to marinate most meats including; lamb, chicken, veal, chops and many vegetables. Here is how to go about it.

Ingredients

• 1 Medium Small Brown Onion (optional)
• 2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
• 1 Tablespoon of Finely Grated Lemon Zest
• 1 Tablespoon of Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
• 1 Tablespoon of Paprika
• ½ Teaspoon of Chili Powder
• ½ Teaspoon of Crushed Garlic (optional)
• 1 Splash of Tabasco Sauce (optional)
• Freshly Ground Sea Salt (season to taste)
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper (season to taste)

Note

The primary distinguishing difference between the zest and the rind of citrus fruit is that the rind encompasses the complete skin of the fruit and not just the colored portion as is the case with the zest.

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Method

1. Peel and finely dice the onion
2. Squeeze lemon to extract at least 1 tablespoon’s worth of lemon juice
3. Finely grate lemon zest (this recipe calls for 1 tablespoon’s worth of lemon zest)
4. Select a large mixing bowl add the finely diced onion, the olive oil, the chili powder, the paprika, the garlic, the sea salt, the black pepper, a splash of Tabasco sauce, the lemon zest and finally the lemon juice.
5. Mix well to ensure that all of the paprika marinade’s ingredients are well and truly thoroughly combined.
6. Transfer marinade (still in mixing bowl) to the refrigerator to lightly chill for 5 minutes or so.
7. Once; lightly chilled, remove marinade from refrigerator, add meat and toss to ensure even coverage of meat with marinade.
8. Return meat and marinade to refrigerator to marinate for at least another 15 minutes prior to cooking.

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Tips

• Using a stainless steel mixing bowl makes cleanup considerably easier and quicker.
• Marinating for an extended period (i.e. overnight) generally results in a superior dish with greatly improved tenderness and enhanced flavors.
• Once the marinade ingredients are thoroughly combined and chilled you might wish to consider transferring the chilled marinade to a zip lock plastic bag. Then add in whatever meat it is that you wish to marinate and shake vigorously to coat all meat pieces with marinade.