Name: Universal Marinade
Yield: Makes about ½ cup
Ingredients: 2 lemongrass stalks, trimmed, tough outer layers removed; 1 serrano chile; 3 garlic cloves; 1 1" piece ginger, peeled; 1 Tbsp. dark brown sugar; 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil; 1 Tbsp. fish sauce; 1 Tbsp. soy sauce

Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski

Finely grating the aromatics in this Vietnamese-leaning marinade unlocks their flavor without endless chopping.

Recipe notes