How Do You Cook With A Mortar & Pestle?
Mortars and pestles have long been used in the kitchen to aid in cooking. Before grain grinders and food processors, mortars and pestles were used to make flours, crack nuts, grind spices and make pesto and guacamole. Mortars and pestles are still handy to have in the kitchen and can be found at most stores selling kitchen supplies. If you have a local health food store, you can generally find a wide selection of mortars and pestles made of various materials. Use a mortar and pestle to break up sugar that has become hardened from moisture. Place the sugar in the mortar and pound the clump with the pestle until the sugar flows freely. Grind peppercorns and other spices when recipes call for fresh, ground ingredients. Depending on the size of your mortar and pestle, you can do up to a half cup of peppercorns or other spices in each batch. Revive older herbs. Crushing cinnamon, nutmeg and other spices that have sat on the shelf releases both the flavor and aroma still in the spice. Make a
