Pestle and mortar, stuff to grind up please...
Pestle and mortar, stuff to grind up please...
Author
Discussion

OllieWinchester

Original Poster:

5,695 posts

216 months

Tuesday 13th January 2009
quotequote all
Got given a really nice pestle and mortar for xmas, need some idea's for stuff to grind up. Don't like cheese, so pesto is out but no great loss. Any idea's?

madbadger

11,730 posts

268 months

Tuesday 13th January 2009
quotequote all
Spices, pepper, garlic, nuts. Anything solid.

Why can't you make pesto just because you don't like cheese?

OllieWinchester

Original Poster:

5,695 posts

216 months

Tuesday 13th January 2009
quotequote all
Because its full of pecorino and grand parganio or something. And I hate it. Not a cheese fan.

Would quite like specific recipes for dishes as if I just start grinding up stuff out of the cupboard the kitchen will look like a bomb has gone off and I will no doubt end up with some foul smelling ooze that is unfit for human consumption....

madbadger

11,730 posts

268 months

Tuesday 13th January 2009
quotequote all
Basil (shed loads), pine nuts, salt, pepper, Olive oil.

That's the beauty of making stuff yourself.

Chim Girl

6,268 posts

283 months

Tuesday 13th January 2009
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A pestle and mortar can be used for both wet and dry ingredients, so you could google for curry powder recipes, dry rubs and meat seasonings. Most of these will rely on whole spices being bashed into a ground form.

Depending on the size you have, you can use it to make wet curry pastes and marinades, as they do in most of SE Asia - if this appeals, and you have a large enough mortar, then I can post some Thai paste recipes if they interest you. You could also consider making things such guacamole, salad dressings, sauces etc

Basically, if you think of your pestle and mortar as a primitive food processor, then you won't go far wrong with the recipes you can tackle.

Oh and one tip, put a damp cloth on your work surface when you're bashing stuff, it makes it easier as the mortar doesn't move about so much. smile



anonymous-user

78 months

Tuesday 13th January 2009
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Make your own Garam Massala - impiortant ingredient in many Asian (primarily Indian) recipes, and your own home made stuff is a million times better than Schwartz/supermarket-bought stuff.

Recipes easy to find in most Indian cook books and/or on the web.

Psychobert

6,318 posts

280 months

Tuesday 13th January 2009
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Tapenade - handful of Kalamata Olives, (don't buy the destoned ones, foul creatures..), garlic, anchovies, capers, (rinse them off if preserved in salt, ifin vinegar, see comment about the wrong sort of olives) and olive oil. Mash up, serve on hunks of toasted ciabatta or foccacia. Lovely... lick

Salt content might cause your physician to raise an eyebrow so be good to your heat and wash down with a good Barolo. smile

OPh, and pesto doesn't have to have cheese in it. Try it with sun dried tomatoes.

Mobile Chicane

21,825 posts

236 months

Tuesday 13th January 2009
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I use mine for grinding whole spices for curries, though garlic works quite well with a bit of salt.

Bob the Planner

4,695 posts

293 months

Wednesday 14th January 2009
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In addition to grinding spices for curries, I have dispensed with a pepper grinder and always do them with the pestle & mortar - allows you to get a rough crack to fine ground depending on how you like/want it.

Have also used mine as a small mixing bowl too paperbag

dcw@pr

3,516 posts

267 months

Wednesday 14th January 2009
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OllieWinchester said:
Don't like cheese, so pesto is out
rofl

of all the things to specify not eating because you don't like cheese - pesto?

rofl

as someone mentioned, grind spices (preferably roasted), if for nothing else than the smell.

OllieWinchester

Original Poster:

5,695 posts

216 months

Wednesday 14th January 2009
quotequote all
Ok then, how about a bit of cross thread linking. I have been reading the chicken wing thread and salivating, so what good stuff can I crush up in the old pestle and mortar to liberally sprinkle over my wings before I roast them tonight?

drivin_me_nuts

17,949 posts

235 months

Thursday 15th January 2009
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Is it a glaced one or a non glazed one?

I use a non glazed one for grinding saffron. Lots of fronds and a generous pinch of sugar to create saffron dust.