Yogurt and Mint Marinade

The only marinades that actually seem to work to tenderize meats are those made from yogurt or buttermilk. It’s not entirely clear why they work, but the lactic acid in dairy seems to activate enzymes in meats that help to gently break down muscle fiber. It’s similar to the way that aging tenderizes meats. Because yogurt marinades are only mildly acidic, they also don’t dry out meat the way strong acid marinades do.

This Indian-inspired marinade can be used with any meat (it’s delic