In a medium bowl or jar, whisk together the fresh orange juice and finely grated orange zest.

Add the extra-virgin olive oil, minced garlic cloves, thyme leaves, honey, and kosher salt. If using, add the optional lemon juice and chili flakes or black pepper.

Whisk everything together until well-emulsified.

Optional: Set aside about 1/4 cup of clean marinade if you want to use it as a finishing sauce later. Never reuse marinade that's touched raw meat or seafood unless you boil it for 1-2 minutes first.

Add your chosen protein or vegetables to the marinade and toss to coat evenly.

Marinate according to the type of food: shrimp (15-30 minutes), chicken breasts (1-2 hours), chicken thighs (up to 4 hours), pork chops (1-4 hours), tofu or vegetables (30-60 minutes).

When ready to cook, remove food from the marinade, letting excess drip off, then grill, roast, or pan-sear until properly cooked.

For an extra touch of flavor, simmer the reserved clean marinade in a small saucepan for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened, then brush over your cooked food before serving.