The mojito, a Cuban cocktail, is made with rum, lime juice and fresh mint muddled with sugar at the bottom of a tall glass. We turned this refreshing idea into a brightly flavored marinade that works well with any light meat or seafood. Use on: Extra-firm tofu, shrimp, scallops, mahi-mahi, chicken, pork (see Tip)

Makes about 1 1/4 cups

ACTIVE TIME: 10 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 10 minutes

EASE OF PREPARATION: Easy

2 shallots, peeled and trimmed
1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh mint
1/4 cup rum
1 tablespoon freshly grated lime zest
1/2 cup lime juice
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 tablespoon kosher salt

Place shallots, mint, rum, lime zest, lime juice, honey, oil and salt in a food processor. Pulse until the shallots are finely chopped. Pour the marinade into a shallow baking dish or 1-gallon sealable plastic bag for marinating 1 to 2 pounds (4 to 8 servings) of your chosen protein.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per 2 teaspoons: 21 calories; 1 g fat (0 g sat, 1 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 2 g carbohydrate; 0 g protein; 0 g fiber; 113 mg sodium; 14 mg potassium.

(Based on Test Kitchen results, 2 teaspoons of marinade are absorbed per serving.)

0 Carbohydrate servings

Exchanges: free food

TIP: Follow the marinating times, cooking times and temperatures below for juicy, perfect grilling results.

EXTRA-FIRM TOFU
30 minutes to overnight
2-3 minutes per side

SALMON FILLET
30 minutes
3-5 minutes per side

CHICKEN BREAST boneless, skinless
2 hours to overnight
6-8 minutes per side; 165°F

CHICKEN THIGHS boneless, skinless
2 hours to overnight
6-8 minutes per side; 165°F

CHICKEN THIGHS bone-in, skinless
2 hours to overnight
15-25 minutes, turning occasionally; 165°F

DUCK BREAST boneless, skinless
2 hours to overnight
4-8 minutes per side; 150°F

PORK CHOPS bone-in, 3/4" thick
2 hours to overnight
3-4 minutes per side; 145°F

PORK TENDERLOIN
2 hours to overnight
14-16 minutes, turning occasionally; 145°F

FLANK STEAK
2 hours to overnight
6-8 minutes per side; 140°F for medium

STRIP STEAK bone-in, 3/4"-1" thick
2 hours to overnight
4-5 minutes per side; 140°F for medium

LAMB LOIN CHOPS
2 hours to overnight
5-6 minutes per side; 145°F for medium

*All cooking times based on medium-high grill temperature and cooking with the grill lid closed.

We made this with chicken, and you can really taste the flavor of the mint and lime. It is a great dish for a backyard BBQ - really easy to make and flavorful. Serve it with rice and black beans, yum!

Dianna, Abu Dhabi

Very tasty. I would use it again.

Emily, CT