A mortar and pestle is the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about an age-old cooking tool that is responsible for preparing many miraculous dishes and pastes.
However, many of us don’t know how many things it’s capable of doing. Let’s find 20 cool things to do with a mortar and pestle and learn how to use it.
Grab your mortar and pestle, roll up your sleeves, and let’s get cooking!
20 Cool Things to Do with a Mortar and Pestle
Since ancient times, mortar and pestle have been around and have been useful for many uses. It could be used for so many things – from crafting textures to extracting essential oils.
Let’s take a look at 20 cool things to do with a mortar and pestle:
1. Grinding Fresh Spices
The most obvious use, but also one of the most satisfying, is grinding fresh spices. It makes you forget about pre-packaged spice blends that lose flavor over time.
You may use your mortar and pestle to grind fresh whole spices such as cumin seeds, coriander seeds, or peppercorns to create aromatic blends that will take your recipes to the next level.
2. Pounding Fresh Herbs
Fresh herbs can make a huge difference in your meals. Mortar and pestle are ideal for maximizing their flavors. Crushing herbs in a mortar and pestle helps release essential oils and heighten their flavor.
Whether you’re cooking pesto, curry paste, or providing a flavor boost to a salad dressing, pounding fresh herbs in this culinary tool will do wonders.
3. Making Garlic and Ginger Paste
With this kitchen tool, you can forget about mincing and learn a new way of making your favorite ginger and garlic paste. Preparing the paste in a mortar and pestle will make it easier to incorporate these aromatic ingredients into your recipes and infuse your foods with their tastes.
4. Making Guacamole
Guacamole is a popular dip that tastes even better when made from scratch. Mash ripe avocados in a mortar and pestle, then add fresh ingredients like tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice to make a tasty guacamole that will surprise everyone.
5. Creating Salsas and Chutneys
Salsas and chutneys are great ways to add flavor to any food. Gently crush ingredients like tomatoes, chili peppers, and onions in your mortar and pestle to release their juices and create unforgettable tastes. You can also experiment with different combinations to see what works best for you.
6. Grinding Nuts and Seeds
A mortar and pestle is very useful for grinding nuts and seeds to the proper consistency, whether you’re making homemade nut butter or scattering crushed nuts on your dessert. For a different texture and flavor, try it with almonds, peanuts, or sesame seeds.
7. Mixing Marinades and Dressings
A mortar and pestle is a great tool for making marinades and salad dressings. Combine herbs, spices, olive oil, and acids in a mortar and pestle, and you’ll have a homemade marinade or dressing that store-bought alternatives simply cannot compare.
8. Making Pesto
Pesto, the amazing Italian green sauce, is simple to make using a mortar and pestle. To make a paste, combine fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, and Parmesan cheese, then gradually add olive oil. The result is a flavorful pesto that is ideal for spaghetti, sandwiches, and other dishes.
9. Muddling Cocktails
If you enjoy making cocktails, a mortar and pestle can be your hidden weapon. Muddling herbs, fruits, and even sugar in your mortar before adding them to your cocktail shaker will help you improve your mixology skills. Try it with mint for a traditional Mojito or berries for a fruity twist on your favorite beverage.
10. Creating Beauty and Health Remedies
A mortar and pestle isn’t just for cooking – you may also use it to make your beauty and wellness products. Crush herbs like lavender, chamomile, and calendula to produce soothing masks or infused oils for handcrafted salves and lotions. You can also grind herbs for herbal teas and natural remedies.
11. Making Fresh Salsas
Nothing beats fresh salsa as an addition to tacos, grilled meats, or even a simple bowl of tortilla chips. Crush ripe tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and jalapenos in a mortar and pestle to make a salsa full of fresh flavors.
12. Preparing Homemade Curry Paste
Whether you’re interested in making a mild yellow curry or a spicy Thai red curry, your mortar and pestle can help you make tasty, handmade curry paste. Pound spices, herbs, and aromatics together to form a paste that will be the heart and soul of your curry recipes.
13. Smashing Roasted Garlic
Smashing roasted garlic in a mortar and pestle is something that’ll take this recipe to the next level. Roast whole garlic bulbs, then mash them in a mortar and pestle with a bit of salt to make a smooth and flavorful spread perfect for bread. You can also use it for smashing raw garlic.
14. Blending Avocado and Lime
If you’re sick and tired of the chunky guacamole, we advise you to try a creamy avocado and lime combination. Mash ripe avocados with lime juice, a bit of salt, and a touch of garlic to make a versatile dip or spread.
15. Creating Unique Rubs for Meats
Are you ready to Impress your guests with unique meat rubs? Take your mortar and pestle and combine herbs, spices, and seasonings to make one-of-a-kind rubs for your favorite pieces of meat. You’re gonna love the textures and flavors you’ll create.
16. Preparing Fresh Sambal
If you enjoy spicy sauces, sambal is a must-try. Crush chilies, garlic, shrimp paste, and other ingredients to produce your own fresh sambal, which is ideal for giving your dishes a fiery kick.
17. Grinding Peppercorns for Fresh Pepper
Freshly ground black pepper is a game-changer for many people – especially for those who can’t eat soup without this ingredient. Simply grind peppercorns in your mortar and enjoy the intense, aromatic flavor it adds to your dishes.
18. Mashing Potatoes
Your mortar and pestle can help you create the creamiest mashed potatoes. Simply mash cooked potatoes with butter, cream, and spices to make a lump-free potato dish that’s great as a side or on its own.
19. Crushing Ice
Your mortar and pestle can also help you with your beverage aspirations. Crush ice for cocktails and cold beverages with ease and add a touch of flair to your drinks display.
20. Cracking Open Crab Shells
If you like seafood, you’ll appreciate how a sturdy mortar and pestle can make cracking crab shells a lot easier. It’s a simple and enjoyable way to eat your favorite crab recipes.
Why Should You Use a Mortar and Pestle Rather Than Other Modern Tools
As previously mentioned, a mortar and pestle is a kitchen gadget used for a variety of tasks ranging from grinding spices to crushing ice. However, with an abundance of modern kitchen tools such as spice grinders and blenders, many of us are unclear whether to use a mortar and pestle or other modern alternatives.
Let’s look at why you should use a mortar instead of other modern tools.
1. Unmatched Flavor
A mortar and pestle is there to bring your meals an unmatched flavor. While electric spice grinders work well, they might generate heat due to friction, which can damage the delicate flavors of your spices. A mortar and pestle, on the other hand, crushes rather than grinds, keeping the whole range of smells and flavors.
The secret sauce behind many traditional foods that have lasted the test of time is the preservation of flavor. And that is exactly what a mortar and pestle can do.
2. Texture Control
This kitchen tool is perfect for texture control. It’s you who’s in control of whether you want a coarse or fine result.
Most electric tools don’t allow for this amount of customization. This means you can carefully crush nuts, seeds, and spices for a flawless balance, or you can leave them somewhat chunky for a rustic touch to your cuisine.
3. Better Pounding
Some recipes, such as pesto or guacamole, require a little touch rather than powerful equipment. This is where a mortar and pestle shines.
Its ability to gently pound and extract essential oils from herbs, as well as precisely combine ingredients, makes it a go-to tool for dishes requiring sophistication.
4. Easy to Clean
The last thing you want to do after preparing a delicious meal is deal with time-consuming cleaning procedures. In this aspect, a mortar and pestle is easy to clean.
Most of the time, a mild scrub and a rinse with water are all that is required. There’s no need to be concerned about difficult dismantling, difficult-to-reach parts, or difficult cleaning methods. Your mortar and pestle are always ready for the next culinary experience.
5. Versatility
While its main function is in the kitchen, a mortar and pestle is a tool that can help you in many situations. It’s your go-to for anything from natural medicines to DIY cosmetic products.
6. Aesthetic Appeal
Not everything is about function; sometimes it’s also about form. The rustic appeal of a mortar and pestle in your kitchen is undeniable. It’s more than a tool – it’s also a piece of history. It creates a sense of connection to culinary traditions of the past when placed on your countertop.
Discovering Mortar and Pestle Types and Their Applications
Mortar and pestle, the timeless culinary combination, comes in a range of styles and materials, each with its own set of qualities and ideally suited for specific tasks. Here are some of the different types of mortar and pestle:
Granite Mortar and Pestle
Granite mortars and pestles are well-known for their toughness. These heavy-duty tools, carved from solid granite, are ideal for crushing hard substances. They are especially good at grinding whole spices, seeds, and herbs, guaranteeing equal consistency, and releasing strong flavors.
Mexican Mortar and Pestle
A molcajete, or traditional Mexican mortar and pestle, is often made of volcanic rock. Its rough surface makes it ideal for grinding, particularly when making salsas, guacamole, and moles. The porous material absorbs and holds flavors over time, adding to the authenticity of your Mexican-inspired recipes.
Brass Mortar and Pestle
Brass mortars and pestles are a wonderful option that combines utility and elegance. They are best suited for light to medium-duty grinding applications. Brass’s flat surface reduces friction, making it great for blending components such as garlic cloves, spices, flavored salts, and herbs.
Marble Mortar and Pestle
Marble mortars and pestles are popular as kitchen décor because of their visual appeal. Because of their smooth, polished interior, they are ideal for grinding herbs, spices, and seeds. The non-porous surface prevents aromas and flavors from being absorbed, ensuring that your ingredients retain their original flavor.
Wooden Mortar and Pestle
Wooden mortars and pestles, typically constructed of hardwoods such as beech or olive wood, have a rustic appeal. They are suitable for light-crushing and blending duties, such as muddling herbs, making herbal treatments, or pounding cloves of garlic.
Ceramic Mortar and Pestle
Ceramic mortars and pestles are an attractive blend of form and function. They are crafted with precision, making them ideal for fine-grinding usages. Their non-reactive smooth surface makes them perfect for blending spices and herbs or preparing fine pastes and powders.
Porcelain Mortar and Pestle
Porcelain mortars and pestles are both beautiful and functional. They are great for blending and grinding delicate ingredients such as herbs, as well as making fine powders, pastes, and dressings due to their smooth, non-reactive surface.
Final Thoughts
We explored the realm of mortar and pestle and discovered 20 cool things to do with a mortar and pestle. There’s a mortar and pestle for every kitchen and every function, from the enduring solidity of granite to the rich authenticity of a molcajete and the elegance of brass or marble.
Remember that each type offers a distinct tale in your culinary adventure. So, whether you’re grinding spices, making salsas, or making fine pastes, appreciate the physical connection to history as well as the flavors you’ll discover. Enjoy the variety of these tools, taste the smells, and let your imagination go wild.
May your future culinary excursions be a lovely blend of tradition, innovation, and delectable discoveries. Happy grinding, pounding, and savoring your own products’ flavors! Don’t forget to visit cookroomkitchen.com for more kitchen marvels!
