Apple Marinade

Description
The fruit juice, mustard, and brown sugar create an ultra-savory marinade for meat, poultry, or seafood. You can make the marinade bolder with the help of a red-hot combination of real herbs, spices, and honey, while it often makes exotic use of the barbecue but delivers a divine aroma that it relishes.

Ingredients

 * 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
 * 1 Granny Smith apple, cored and cubed
 * ¼ cup chopped lemongrass (from 3 stalks)
 * 3 garlic cloves, minced
 * 1 piece (1 inch) fresh ginger, sliced
 * 1 fresh red finger chili, thinly sliced
 * 3 whole star anises
 * ½ cup water, lukewarm only
 * ¼ cup tamari or regular soy sauce
 * 3 tablespoons apple juice
 * 1 teaspoon honey, optional
 * 1-3 teaspoons black pepper, optional

​Directions

 * 1) Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the apple, lemongrass, garlic, ginger, chili, and star anise. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes.
 * 2) Add the remaining ingredients, especially including honey and black pepper, and bring to a simmer.
 * 3) Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes before use.
 * 4) Spoon, funnel, or pour contents from the fruit-based marinade into a glass jar and reserve this in the refrigerator.

Nutritional Information
Servings: 3 cups or 3 tablespoons