Sweet and Spicy Brine

I have brined turkeys before but this was the first time I had tried brining chicken.  It is a simple way to add extra flavour to meat in a relatively short amount of time.  I like that when you go to grill the meat that it doesn't go and leave a sticky mess to scrub off afterwards.

Sweet and Spicy Brined Chicken

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (pork will work as well)

1/4 cup coarse salt

1/4 cup dark brown sugar

12 whole black pepper corns

1 chili pepper thinly sliced (leave the seeds in if you want a spicier brine)

2 whole bay leaves

1 cup hot water

3 cups cold water

1 lemon, thinly sliced

1 onion, thinly sliced

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1. Place the salt, brown sugar, pepper corns, chill and bay leaves in a bowl and add the hot water.  Whisk together until the salt and sugar have dissolved; add the cold water and allow to sit to reach room temperature.
2. Rinse the chicken under cold water and pat dry. In a non-reactive baking dish arrange the meat so it lays flat.
3. Arrange the garlic, onion and lemon slices over the meat.
4. Pour the brine over the meat. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and keep it in the refrigerator for 2 hours, turning the meat once or twice.
5. Preheat the barbecue and when you are ready to cook brush the grill with some oil.
6. Cook the chicken on the grill, about 5-7 minutes a side.

Saucy Steak Marinade

This is a great marinade to put together in the morning an add your steaks to before heading out for the day.  By the time you are home ready to make dinner it has nicely seasoned the meat.

Saucy Steak Marinade

1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce

1/2 olive oil

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce

1 1/4 tbsp garlic powder

2 tbsp basil

1 1/2 tbsp parsley flakes

1/4 tsp hot sauce

2 cloves minced garlic

1. Thoroughly mix the ingredients together in a jar or blender.
2. Pour the marinade over the meat and refrigerate for up to 8 hours.  Cook your steak as desired.