Let me share with you how this whole post came about….
I’m a food geek {not news right}
As such, I constantly search for products that pique my interest and THOROUGHLY put them to the test! Some pass…some fail….Some EXCEED expectation.
As I was perusing products one day, I happened upon this Marinade Express and it caught my eye. It LOOKED nice and the brief info on Amazon was enough to make me look into this product further. What I read on the Marinade Express Website had me VERY curious. If this little beauty could do everything it claimed….I was bound to be in love!
I’ve always been a “marinader” (that’s a word right?) and have always made my own mixes at home instead of purchasing them from the store. However, the Marinade Express PROCESS was new to me. This machine doesn’t just marinade it vacuum tumbles your food!
What this means is that the marinade is pushed into the very core of the meat/vegetable….infusing the product with flavor and moisture! Alright SOLD….I needed to test this thing 
I contacted one of the company owners, Dan Neumann, and asked if he would have an interest in a product review. After a nice visit (I might be a talker), we decided on a review/giveaway arrangement and my machine quickly came in the mail.
Typically I’m leery of larger counter top appliances, as my counter tops are prime real estate! Not to give away my feelings, but the Marinade Express is firmly ensconced in my kitchen and has a force field built around it so nobody can pilfer my machine. Some close friends have hinted at it “oops disappearing”.
So let’s take a closer look at this….Here’s a photo I took shortly after it arrived
Now you’ll notice on the front it says GROVAC….This is a reverse osmosis infusion and filtering process for food. This powerful process uses alternating water and vacuum environments to quickly infuse natural flavor, antioxidants and moisture deep into protein tissues. Sounds high-tech, but what does that all mean for ME?
The filtering process removes many impurities. This uncovers a fresher, cleaner taste in the food. The filtering process slows the formation of free radicals which are known to be a cause of cancer. It reduces up to 30 % of fat from fatty cuts of meat. Many unwanted chemical preservatives, additives, and other contaminants are removed. The process kills up to 99.5 % of bacteria, both the types that cause spoilage as well as those that cause food-borne illness. It is a safe way to clean fruits and vegetables to avoid peeling them and retain nutrients. The result is healthier foods bursting with pure flavor!
Ok…..SOLD
But am I going to be stuck with one flavor, because I like to make a variety of marinades?
Take a look at your choices!!
Flavors to cover the globe and to suit all your meats and veggies.
Now if you’re like me, your next question will be “Ya, but how much will these prepackaged wonders cost me?”
To answer that….I took a quick trip to my local grocer and noted the price of the bottled marinades. Ranging from $2 – $6, these bottles are laden with salt and sadly NEVER reach the center of your food and they CERTAINLY don’t remove impurities and preservatives. Most are FULL of preservatives!
The marinades from Marinade Express are sold in cases of 12 for $24.99. Ummmmm that’s 2 dollars and a few pennies a piece!!! In addition, you are getting an amazing product that will SERIOUSLY change the way you think about marinades.
Ok the process, let’s break this down…. After deciding on a meat/veg product and a flavored/unflavored marinade, you simply add a measured amount of water to the barrel and stir in the marinade until dissolved. Then you slide in the rib dividers that help your food tumble gently and evenly. For my first test, I chose ribeye and the signature steak marinade. 
Now pay attention to the color of the meat BEFORE it goes in to the Marinade Express….
Arrange the meat evenly on both sides of the barrel 
Time to make the magic happen! Lock the lid into place and insert the vacuum nozzle into the flip spout on the lid. Once the vacuum button is pressed on the front of the machine, the needle gauge will climb from the white area to the green. 
After the needle is in the green area, push stop and push the spout on the lid down. Remove the vacuum nozzle and place your tumbler on the machine. Depending on the product you are tumbling, your time will range from 3-20 minutes for tumbling. THAT’S RIGHT….20 minute marinade for the most tender, flavor infused food you’ve ever had!
Ready to see the difference?? This meat is completely infused with flavor and melt in your mouth tender! As an added bonus, the tumbling and added moisture reduces your cooking time. 
I decided to add an espresso/peppercorn rub to mine before grilling. I’ll share the recipe in a moment. After the steaks are coated, I let the chill and firm up in the refrigerator for a few hours before cooking. 
Ready??? I mean….this is the kind of life-altering steak you ALWAYS hope you get when you go to a steakhouse….and you never get it do you? Now you can!
Here’s my rub mixture: 2 tablespoons mixed peppercorns, 2 tablespoons coriander seeds, 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes, 2 teaspoons garlic salt, 2 tablespoons espresso grind, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 tablespoons salt. Lightly toast the peppercorns, coriander, and red pepper flakes in a pan until fragrant. Remove from the heat and crush with a mortar and pestle. Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Press into both sides of your meat and chill for several hours.
While this steak is to die for…this machine doesn’t stop with benefits for beef! Let’s take a look at chicken skewers, which can prove to be a VERY dry ordeal on the grill. I decided to make my Greek Chicken Kebabs w/ Tzatziki Sauce and Naan.
I opted for boneless skinless chicken thighs and the Greek Marinade from Marinade Express. After following all the steps above, I had beautiful and fragrant chicken in less than 30 minutes! I cut the chicken into uniform pieces for the skewers and began threading them with red onions on presoaked wooden skewers. (recipe below)
To get a nice finish from the grill, I covered the skewers with a yogurt sauce and let them chill for several hours before grilling. Take a look…
Gorgeous are they not? 
Oh man…I wish I could say enough about this! No moisture loss…just flavorful bites of heaven!
Ingredients
- 5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of extra fat
- 1 large red onion, sliced into medium thick chunks
- 1 1/2 cups greek yogurt
- 1/2 teaspoon dill weed
- 1/4 teaspoon basil
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano
- zest from 1 lemon
- pinch red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup greek yogurt
- 2 cucumber, peeled, seeded and finely minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon vinegar
- salt/pepper
- zest and juice from 1/2 lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon dill weed
- drizzle of olive oil
- Naan, tomatoes, cilantro, thinly sliced red onion
- Greek Marinade from Marinade Express
Instructions
- Tumble the chicken thighs in the Marinade Express with Greek Marinade packet for 20 minutes.
- Cut the chicken into uniform chunks and thread alternately with red onion onto presoaked wooden skewers.
- Combine the greek yogurt, dill, basil, oregano, zest, red pepper, and salt in a mixing bowl. Generously brush on both sides of the skewers and place in a large casserole dish. Cover with any remaining yogurt mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours.
- Press the minced cucumber into a mesh strainer or place in cheesecloth to remove excess moisture. Try and get them as dry as possible. Set aside.
- Combine the sour cream, yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, vinegar, salt/pepper to taste, lemon juice and zest, dill, and olive oil in a mixing bowl and stir to combine. Adjust seasoning if desired. Chill completely.
- Preheat the grill for direct high heat cooking. Place the skewers on the grate and do not move them for about 5 minutes. When they are ready to flip, they will release easily.
- Grill for 10-12 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
- Serve with naan, diced tomatoes, chopped cilantro, sliced red onion and naan bread.
The Marinade Express offers HUGE benefits in the seafood department, producing succulent and moisture-packed seafood dishes, while reducing the levels of mercury! WOW
I decided to test on one of the most delicate seafood products…scallops! Not only did it tumble gently enough not to tear my sea scallops….but the flavor!!! I used a sesame ginger marinade and pan seared these little gems, serving with an asian sauce and black sesame seeds. Flavor tumbling in 3 minutes….I rest my case. 
Have I convinced you? This machine has completely changed the way I prep my food for the freezer….I portion out my meat and run everything through a tumble in the marinade express. Sometimes I use flavored marinades, sometimes I use the unflavored packets to remove the “gunk” from my meat and infuse moisture. It’s crazy amazing!
So who wants one??? Mr. Neumann has allowed me to give away one of the Marinade Express machines AND a starter pack of marinades. That’ a retail value of $300!
If you are not drawn as the winner, I am also able to offer EVERYONE a $50.00 discount code off the price of a machine AND free shipping. The coupon code is valid through the end of May….would make a PERFECT father’s day present
*To use the coupon code, enter MRSCLEAVER during checkout*
To enter the giveaway, use the Rafflecopter entry tool below. I will draw a winner on 4/18/14!
Signing Off,
Modern Mrs. Cleaver
