Mortars and Pestles are tools that have been used in cooking for thousands of years. Sturdy and durable, a good mortar and pestle could last your entire life.
Instructions
Searching for Strength and Durability
1. Check the material. Mortars and pestles are generally made out of stone, hard wood, marble or clay. Make sure that whatever the material, it is durable and (particularly for Mexican mortars) not sandy.
2. Check for cracks. Many mortars and pestles are cracked when shipping and will wear down over time, so make sure yours comes without cracks.
3. Consider the size and use. A small mortar and pestle will be good for grinding small ingredients like spices. A big mortar and pestle will be good for making bigger batches of food like pesto and guacamole.
4. Choose a type for the grinding you are doing. Mexican mortar and pestles are often made out of stone---the best out of lava stone---and well adapted for Mexican food. Thai mortars and pestles are good all-around tools for a variety of foods. Many people use mortars and pestles for crushing medicines---in this case, glazed pottery is a good option, as the medicine will not grind into the mortar material.
Alternatives to a Mortar and Pestle
5. Look into electric grinders. Sometimes the work that would otherwise take you ten minutes can be done in ten seconds with a click of the button of a coffee grinder. This is a great alternative to crushing spices by hand.
6. Consider a food processor. Especially for big batches of pesto, a food processor can be your best friend. Able to handle large quantities of ingredients, including big leaves of basil (and liquids like olive oil), a food processor is a great alternative to a mortar and pestle.
7. Think about a bowl and spoon. For some foods like guacamole, a heavy bowl and spoon can double as a mortar and pestle, since the avocado should already be mushy and easy to mash.
Tags: mortar pestle, food processor, bowl spoon, great alternative, Mortar Pestle, mortar pestle will, mortars pestles