If I could use only one marinade for the rest of my life, it would be this one. Redolent with garlic, piquant with fresh lemon juice, and fragrant with extra virgin olive oil, it instantly transports you to the Mediterranean. I can't think of a single food that doesn't taste better bathed in it. You can use it as both a marinade and a basting sauce. If marinating poultry, meat, or seafood, simply set a portion aside for basting. 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice1/2 teaspoon hot pepper flakes1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper1/2 teaspoon coarse salt (kosher or sea), or to taste4 strips of lemon zest3 gloves garlic, crushed with the side of a cleaver or minced1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh parsley1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil, cilantro, dill, oregano or a mix of all four1/2 cup extra virgin olive oilCombine the lemon juice, hot pepper flakes, cracked pepper, and salt in a nonreactive (glass, ceramic, or stainless steel) bowl and whisk until the salt crystals are dissolved. Add the lemon zest, garlic, parsley, and basil. Stir or whisk in the olive oil. The virtue of this marinade is its freshness; use it within 1 to 2 hours of making. Stir again before using. Makes 1 cup