I blame it all on a reader. When I made my own cayenne powder, I had trouble making a powder with the electric coffee grinder I was using. A reader sent me an email, saying that she uses a mortar and pestle to grind up her cayenne peppers.

From that moment, I wanted my own mortar and pestle. They are very versatile and non-electric. They can grind just about anything. You can make delicious guacamole in them. That alone was a great reason.

For Christmas I added "mortar and pestle" to the wishlist our children requested. Evidently they didn't discuss it among themselves because I ended up with two.

But after researching them a bit, I read that it's a good idea to have two - or even more, depending on how you plan to use them. If you make guacamole and salsa, you might want a separate mortar and pestle so that the stronger herbs and seeds you grind won't flavor these more delicate dishes in an odd way.

Plus mine are different sizes: one is made from marble and is smaller for grinding herbs, spices, seeds and so on, and the other is made of granite and is larger, perfect for guacamole and salsa. I'm using the green marble mortar and pestle in these photos. (affiliate links)

The next thing I learned is that a new mortar and pestle must be seasoned, like a new cast iron pan needs to be seasoned. The actual process is different but they both need to be prepared before they are used for the first time.

A new mortar and pestle set needs to be seasoned to remove stone grit from the inside. The interior surface is left rough and unpolished so the items you're grinding can "grab" the bottom and sides and not jump out of the bowl. Without seasoning it first, you'll end up with sand or grit in your food.

First wash the mortar with hot water and let it air dry. Never use soap or it will flavor your food.

I found some websites that recommend taking your mortar and pestle to the car wash and using the pressure washer to begin the process, but they all agree that the main step is to grind a small handful of uncooked white rice. You'll need to do this several times, until the rice powder is "clean" and has no grit or color in it.

A couple of websites suggested adding a little water so the rice won't jump out of the mortar, so that's what I did.

After pouring out the rice powder, some recommend a second step (or third, if you went to the car wash first): grinding several cloves of garlic, then adding a teaspoon of salt and another of sugar, and finally some peppercorns. Mash this into a smooth paste and rub it around the inside of the mortar. Let it set for about thirty minutes, then wash it with hot water and let it air dry. Your mortar and pestle are now ready to use.

What can you make with a mortar and pestle? Check these out to start:
The Whole Spices I Stock in My Pantry from The Kitchn Cure
5 Mortar and Pestle Recipes You Need to Try by House
Jamie Oliver talks you through using a pestle and mortar, a YouTube video
Guacamole, a recipe from Williams Sonoma

Do you have a mortar and pestle? How do you use it? Share in the comments.


These are the two sets that I have: (the images below contain affiliate links)
     
I participate in the Amazom.com affiliates program. If you make a purchase  after following one of my affiliate links (like the ones above) I earn a small commission, but  it does not affect the price you pay. For more information please see my  disclosure page.

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