Recipe: Filipino BBQ Marinade

The Memorial Day holiday weekend is coming up and Americans will be grilling and barbequing as part of the annual celebration.
Here is a nice change from the store bought BBQ sauces and marinades that you may be used to. I first tasted this at a friend's rooftop BBQ cook out and was intrigued watching her making the marinade especially with the use of 7 Up. She said that it helps tenderize the meat and adds sweetness and that lemon-lime flavor. Traditionally in the Philippines, the juice of calamansi is used but here in the United States, a lemon will have to suffice.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 cup soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/2 cup 7 Up or Sprite
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

1. Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl and taste for flavor balance, you may need to add a pinch of salt or more lemon juice depending on the soy sauce you use and sourness of the lemon.
2. Pour the marinade over the meat of your choice and marinate (chicken: about an hour, pork or beef: over night or longer).
3. Grill and enjoy!