The mortar and pestle is a versatile and useful kitchen implement, but few of us actually grew up using one, so it can be a bit difficult to get into the swing of using it for cooking. Here are a few tips to help you take proper advantage of your mortar and pestle:
- It's not just for dry spices. Garlic, basil and other "wet" spices can also be ground into pastes or muddled in the mortar and pestle, making it a great tool for creating rubs and seasonings for meat dishes.
- Use it to make pesto. According to numerous cooks, the difference between pesto made in a food processor and pesto ground with a mortar and pesto is staggering. Use a mortar and pestle to achieve the traditional burst of basil-y pesto flavor.
- Use it to grind coffee. If you're really into the do-it-yourself culture, grinding coffee by hand rather than in an electric machine fits that philosophy well. Bring out extra flavor by using your mortar and pestle to prepare your morning joe.
- Don't wash it with soap — unless it's stainless steel. If you wash your wooden or stone mortar and pestle with soap, you risk leaving residue in the bowl, leading to soapy-tasting spices the next few times you use it. The traditional method of cleaning is simply to brush the dry spice dust out of the bowl, rinse it with water and let it dry. However, if you're using a stainless steel mortar and pestle, you can use soap all you want, since stainless steel is non-porous and doesn't allow residue to accumulate.
If you know someone who might be able to make good use of a mortar and pestle, what better time to give them one than the holiday season? This brushed stainless steel mortar and pestle set from StainlessLUX is easy to clean and aesthetically pleasing. Contact us for more information on stainless steel accessories.