Mojito Marinade

From EatingWell: May/June 2007 — Subscribe Now!

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)

About 1 1/4 cups

Active Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Nutrition Profile

Ingredients

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

Preparation

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.

Tips & Notes

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.

Nutrition

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

Exchanges: free food

Nutrition Note: Based on Test Kitchen results, 2 teaspoons of marinade are absorbed per serving.