Many old-school kitchen gadgets and tools have been replaced with electric tools, such as swapping a whisk for a hand mixer or a chef’s knife for a food chopper. While that makes sense in a modern world, sometimes it’s enjoyable to go back to the roots of culinary arts and make certain dishes by hand, especially on special occasions.
One tool I love to pull down from the shelf every now and then is a mortar and pestle. This two-piece unit can make sauces, dips, dressings, chutneys, pastes and spice mixes. If I’m making a curry dish, I love to buy whole spices, toast them in a dry skillet, then crush them in the mortar and pestle. The act of toasting and grinding releases the oils from the ingredients, bringing out intense, rich flavor. And it makes all the difference in the final dish.
Most people have heard of making homemade basil pesto in a mortar and pestle, but you can make guacamole, curry paste, aioli, hummus, chimichurri, taco seasoning, Caesar salad dressing, garlic paste, salsa, gremolata, compound butter, flavored salts, garam masala, marinades, olive tapenade, and ground nuts and seeds. The list of uses for this tool is endless.
If you don’t already have a mortar and pestle at home, now may be a great time to add one to your cooking repertoire. Hobby Lobby is selling a Stoneware Mortar and Pestle that’s sleek and heavy-duty. The mortar (the bowl) has a black, marble-like exterior and a dark grey interior, and the pestle (the handled grinder) is black on the top half and dark grey on the bottom half. And it’s a steal for just $10.99.
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Stoneware Mortar and Pestle, $10.99 at Hobby Lobby
The mortar size is 3.19 by five by five inches with a bowl opening of 3.75 inches. The pestle dimensions are 6.25 by 1.5 by 1.5, and both are made of durable stoneware. Like most mortars and pestles, this is hand-wash only and should not be put in the dishwasher.
This set would be the perfect gift for the home cook, kitchen experimenter or family member in your life who wants to learn more about scratch cooking. After using this tool, everyone will be asking for the recipe for their homemade guacamole. Or, add it to your own shopping list so you can create a unique hummus or tapenade recipe to serve as part of a holiday spread.
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