Yields approx. 1¼ cups

This recipe uses ingredients more common to other Asian countries, yet still has Thai overtones. Soy sauce, which is more characteristic of China and Japan, smooths out the bite of the fish sauce.

Asian Marinade — 2

½ cup lime juice

¼ cup soy sauce

2 tablespoons hoisin sauce

1 tablespoon honey

illustration cup vegetable oil

2 tablespoons sesame oil

¼ teaspoon ground anise

1 teaspoon Chinese 5-spice powder

1 tablespoon freshly grated gingerroot

3 cloves garlic, minced

3 tablespoons chopped cilantro

¼ cup chopped green onion

Combine the lime juice, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and honey, and blend well. Slowly whisk in the vegetable and sesame oils. Add the remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly.