Jackson Free Press

When the weather turns hot, most cooks enjoy cooling off with a favorite beverage while taking the heat outdoors and firing up the grill. You won't need to wait to light the coals to break out the brews, though, with these recipes featuring Mississippi beer.

Beer can add rich, smoky caramel tones, a lively floral essence, or a note of bright citrus to food. Not only does it provide a wide range of taste opportunities, but beer is a great tenderizer, with enzymes that help to break down tough, sinewy fibers. One of the most effective ways to tenderize and flavor meat is using beer in a marinade or brine. The best part: Beers from Mississippi's own breweries flavor these recipes.

Spicy Balsamic Beer Marinade for Beef

This is a bold, zesty marinade that makes all taste buds snap to attention. Balsamic vinegar and soy sauce pack extra punch for tenderizing cheaper cuts of meat. You can also use light beer or lager.

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup soy sauce

1 12-ounce bottle Lazy Magnolia Deep South Pale Ale

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon Worcestershire

1 teaspoon hot sauce

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 tablespoon onion, grated

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper

Combine ingredients and mix well. Pour over meat and marinate overnight. This marinade works well with chuck steak, flank steak, flatiron steak, top round steak and sirloin steak. Makes two-and-a-half to three cups.