Quick and Easy Recipes 

So You Can Get Back To Your Hectic Life

Quick and Easy Memorial Day Marinades

Doesn’t it feel like your already hectic life gets all the more busy at some point in May? Mine does!

But, even when I’m short on time, I still don’t want to give up on the great taste of homemade food.

Here are a few Quick and Easy Memorial Day Marinades that will add a lot of flavor to your barbecue. Marinades transform the taste of meat without having to spend time hovering over pots and pans, or continuously basting in a hot oven. They also tenderize less expensive cuts of meat, so you also can save money while throwing together a delicious meal.

Marinade Instructions

Combine the ingredients in a bowl and pour over the meat in a self-sealing plastic bag. Refrigerate for at least three hours or overnight. Occasionally turn over the plastic bag. When placing the meat on the grill, reserve the marinade in a bowl. Brush the remaining marinade on the meat before you flip it and then on the second side a few minutes before it’s done.

Quick and Easy Beef Blast
(for up to 3 pounds beef)

4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1/2 cup red wine

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons black pepper

1 tablespoon hot sauce

Quick and Easy Asian Chicken
(for up to 3 pounds of chicken)

4 tablespoons soy sauce

4 tablespoons dry sherry

1 tablespoon sugar

6 cloves garlic, minced (or 3 teaspoons prepared minced garlic)

1 – 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes

Helpful Alternative: You may not have sherry on hand. It can be replaced with red wine, sake, or mirin.

Quick and Easy Tequila Marinade
(for up to 3 pounds beef or chicken)

1/2 cup lime juice

1/4 cup tequila

1/3 cup soy sauce

1/2 cup olive oil

8 cloves garlic, minced (or 4 teaspoons prepared minced garlic)

1 teaspoon black pepper

Tasty Additions: If you used fresh limes for the juice, then add 2 teaspoons of lime zest. For more of a southwest kick, add 1 teaspoon cumin. And, if you’re a fan of fresh cilantro, add 1/2 cup, finely chopped.

Whatever’s on your menu this Memorial Day, remember to not only enjoy four of the best Fs — friends, family, food, and fun, but also to pay tribute to the servicemen and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Other Quick and Easy Recipes

Sweet and Spicy Chicken 

Nutella Mousse

Mimosas

Brunch Strata

Too-Good-To-Be-True Slaw

Strawberry Parfait

Summertime Cocktails 

Have a favorite dish and want a Quick and Easy recipe?

Write lisa-michelle@the40factor.com. If possible, your dish's Quick and Easy alternative will be presented on The 40 Factor.

© 2010 — Copyright The 40 Factor: All materials contained on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published, or broadcast without the prior written permission of The 40 Factor or in the case of third-party materials, the owner of the content.

Links to websites other than The 40 Factor are offered as a service to readers. The 40 Factor is not responsible for their content.

For more information about The 40 Factor, e-mail lisa-michelle@the40factor.com.