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Indian Express
6 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Marinate smarter not longer with the help of these two ingredients
Marination isn't just a flavour enhancer — it's a science-backed technique that transforms both texture and taste. Whether you are preparing juicy kebabs, or trying to make a roast, marinating your choice of protein is the first step when it comes to making sure it soaks in all the flavours and spices. 'While not strictly fundamental for every single dish wherein high-quality cuts rely on the meat's natural flavor, marination is a highly beneficial technique used for several key reasons, such as flavor infusion, tenderization and moisture retention,' said executive chef Tamoghna Chakraborty, DoubleTree by Hilton Whitefield, Bangalore. According to Chef Chakraborty, both acid and salt play significant roles, but in slightly different ways. 'Salt is crucial for flavor absorption. Through a process related to osmosis and diffusion, salt helps to draw out moisture from the meat, and helps denature and loosen the protein structure within the muscle fibers. Acids like vinegar, lemon juice, lime juice, wine, yogurt, buttermilk on the other hand primarily work by denaturing proteins on the surface of the meat,' he explained. Acids add their distinct tangy flavor to the marinade and the surface of the meat. Unlike salt, acids don't penetrate very deeply into the meat. While they help tenderise the exterior, they don't significantly drive other marinade flavors deep into the cut, he added. For example, Chef Vishesh Jawarani, founder of JSan, an Izakaya gastropub, Goa shared that they use a marinade of rice vinegar, sake, soy, mirin and seasonings to make Chicken Karaage. 'We marinate the chicken for at least 24 hours and keep it in the refrigerator to ensure it is well-marinated and seasoned. Prior to frying we bring the chicken back to room temperature,' he added. Chef Ritesh Tulsian, NXT LVL, Mumbai shared some key pointers to ensure your marination game is on point: 'Don't over-marinate—too much acid for too long can make meat mushy. And always marinate in the fridge, not at room temperature,' Chef Sanchit – head chef, Heritage Village Resorts and Spa, Goa, added.
IOL News
08-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Vodacom announces price hikes for calls and data: What you need to know
Customers will once again have to dig deeper into their pockets after one of South Africa's largest mobile operators, Vodacom announced its annual adjustments to voice and data out-of-bundle (OOB) rates. This news follows MultiChoice's announcement last month regarding its annual price and product adjustments for DStv and its streaming service, Showmax. Vodacom informed its customers of the upcoming changes via SMS, stating that the adjustments are necessary to maintain the level of quality and coverage that users have come to expect. 'To continue delivering the quality coverage and service you expect, we'll be implementing our annual update on selected products and services, which will take effect on 1 June 2025.' the company said in a message cited by MyBroadband. The company said that from June 01 2025, its prices for Voice Out-of-Bundle rates and Data Out-of-Bundle rates will increase by approximately 2 cents. "Voice Out-of-Bundle rates will increase by approximately 2 cents per minute. Data Out-of-Bundle rates will increase by approximately 2 cents per Megabyte (MB)," the company said. Most voice rates will increase from R1.65 to R1.67 per minute, and data from R0.49 to R0.51 per MB on popular plans like Power Bonus, NXT LVL, Zetnet, Dash Mobile, and Khosi Bonus. Power Pack and Prepaid LTE customers will also see voice and data increases, with data rates rising from R0.29 to R0.31 per MB. Even the more affordable Prepaid 79c plan is affected, now charging R0.81 per minute and R0.51 per MB. The full breakdown of the price adjustment can be found on Vodacom's website. [email protected] IOL Business Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
