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It's one of those culinary terms that evoke an aura of kitchen mystique, as if throwing together a bunch of liquids, flavorings, herbs and spices will magically transform meat, seafood or even vegetables into tender dishes full with flavor. It sounds almost like a kitchen spell - albeit without the dramatic incantation or the smoke (better save that for the grill).
Unfortunately, in the real world, marinades have their limits. Contrary to famous belief, a marinade will not tenderize meat. But that's all right; it could still impart great flavor. Basically, a marinade functions as a "dressing" for meat. Like a salad dressing, it's naturally composed of an acid (vinegar, citrus juice or wine) and a little oil, with herbs and aromatics added to punch up the flavor.