I Want to Marry Marinating

I'm just going to ask you point blank: Do you know about marinating? Do you know how marinating has the power to change your dinnertime? (Which is to say, of course, your life?) Do you know that marinating can be a working parent's best friend?...That I, Jenny Rosenstrach, take thee marinating to be my lawful wedded....

Yes, I'm sure there's a science to it, and yes if I were a real food writer I would give you exact measurements for each of the following three-minute marinades that you can assemble in the morning in order to be that much more ahead of the game when you walk in the door at night. But to get all scientific is to lose the beauty of it. Marinating is like braising -- it's very very difficult to screw it up and even someone with the tiniest bit of culinary courage could wind up having fun with different combinations of flavors. Just remember that you need to whisk some acid in there (lemon, lime, vinegar, buttermilk -- to help with the tenderizing) and getting creative with a fresh torn herb or two is never going to be a bad idea, but otherwise, it's up to you.

Marinade: A few shots soy sauce + 1/2 cup bourbon + spoonful brown sugar Add: A pork tenderloin for Pork with Apples (shown; page 71 Dinner: A Love Story just replace the peaches with apples that hold their shape when cooked, like Cortlands or Jonagolds)

Marinade: Cup or so of buttermilk + dollop of mustard + heavy drizzle olive oil + salt & pepper Add: Chicken drumsticks for Oven-fried Chicken

Marinade: Mostly yogurt + juice from one lime + chopped peeled ginger + olive oil + torn cilantro Add: Chicken thighs or breasts for Yogurt-marinated Chicken

Marinade: Maple syrup + soy sauce + rice vinegar + oil (I'd go same amounts for all but syrup which you only need a heavy drizzle of...) Add: Pork chops for Rory's Maple Candy Pork Chops

Marinade: White miso + sake + mirin + sugar Add: Cod for Nobu's Famous Miso-glazed Black Cod (OK, fine that one takes three days, but you'll have to eat on Friday, too, right?)

There. Doesn't it sorta seem like there's a little sous chef at home thinking about dinner so you don't have to? How good does that feel?

Feel free to share your favorite combos as well.