From weekday meals to bigger affairs when you invite guests, the secret to awesome grilling remains the same: an excellent marinade. Marinades infuse meat and vegetables with flavour but can also preserve juiciness and act as a tenderizer.

1. Basic Marinade

Everyone needs an old standby marinade that is easy to whip up. This basic marinade works for pork, chicken, or beef.

Mix:

1/2 cup soy sauce 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

2 tsp honey

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1/3 cup olive oil

2 Tbsp lemon juice

1 Tbsp fresh parsley

Soak meat for at least two hours before grilling.

2. Steak Marinade

You have to wait for summer before you can enjoy a marinated steak on the grill. Nothing quite equals such a dish in the off-season.

Mix:

1/3 cup soy sauce 1/2 cup olive oil

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce

1-1/2 Tbsp garlic powder

3 Tbsp dried basil

1-1/2 Tbsp dried parsley

1 tsp ground white pepper 1/4 tsp hot pepper sauce

1 tsp dried minced garlic

Marinate steak in the refrigerator for up to eight hours before grilling.

3. Yogurt Marinade

Yogurt marinades are especially well suited to chicken. The yogurt has a tenderizing influence but does not leave the chicken in a rubbery state. You can choose any flavouring to add to the plain yogurt. Simply stir them into the yogurt and coat your meat or chicken. Yogurt marinades yields the finest results when you allow children to soak for 12 hours, but shorter soaks will work as well.

Use only PLAIN yogurt.

4. Vegetable Marinade

Vegetables respond well to marinating. A great marinade could be the secret to helping picky eaters eat vegetables with greater enthusiasm. You'll only need to soak vegetables for about 30 minutes prior to grilling.

Mix:

1/3 cup olive oil

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

3 Tbsp honey

1-1/2 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

Suggested vegetables: carrots, asparagus, zucchini, or red pepper

The best ingredients will make you a grilling champion. Visit Famous Foods in Vancouver where you get personal service and access to fresh and local foods.