In a stainless steel or enameled sauce pan combine 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/3 cup each of honey or maple syrup and medium dry sherry, 1 garlic clove, mashed to a paste, and 1 teaspoon peeled and grated ginger root. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring, simmer it for 5 minutes and let it cool in the pan. Transfer the marinade to a ceramic or glass dish and use it to marinate chicken or pork chops for at least 4 hours and to baste meat as it is grilled.