I got to use my mortar and pestle tonight, which is another Christmas present from my parents. Most of my cool stuff comes from them (except my gun and my dolphin skull).
The model I have looks like this:
Image comes from here; it’s from AMCO Houseworks.
I used it to grind about 2 tbsp. of toasted cumin seeds, this evening, for a lentil soup that I made. Perhaps this is common knowledge, but today I found for the first time that my grinding became more effective if I just swirled the pestle around in the mortar, applying constant pressure to the contents, rather than using a repeated grinding motion where I push down in the bottom of the mortar with the pestle (if that made any sense).
This year I think I’m going to angle for a mandoline for my new kitchen toy - I yearn to be able to slice things wafairr-theen!
I got a mandoline not too long ago. I can’t recall the brand but it was the sub-$100 one at Williams & Sonoma.
I have been well pleased with it, although it comes with an array of smallish sharp fiddly bits and blades which need to be stored with it. I think I need to get a plastic storage bin just to keep all the parts in.
Is that a hint?
My mortar and pestle looks like http://importfood.com/thaicookware.html. I like the massiveness. It’s my only nod to Jamie Oliver.
Get the real French Bron Mandoline! I have one. NO detachable parts except for the optional slicing guard, built like a tank.
I guess so, except that I think hints are usually more subtle… :-)
Gordon!
I am here on your blog, checking in on it’s progress. I too own a mortar and pestle which I think I bought at a second hand store in ABQ. It’s made of wood and was originally the equipment of a pharmacy is my understanding. I think I can still detect traces of morphine and opium!
As far as the blog goes, good to see that you are still sharing good stuff. I for one have come away with the weblink for the Google Recipe Search with which I hope to find a recipe to use a bag of Turkish rice that a co-worker recently gifted me.
To you my friend!!!