Complete-Prep Mortar & Pestle

A classically designed Mortar & Pestle with the added versatility of a portable grater. The Mortar is made of high-quality, durable glazed porcelain with a rubber base for added stability. The contact areas of both mortar and pestle are unglazed allowing for the time honored contact and friction of traditional mortar and pestles.

The Grater is specially designed to be used directly on the Mortar; however, it is portable and can be used throughout the kitchen.All of the parts nest together for neat, compact storage.

There is also a lid that allows the mortar to be used as a conventional storage container.

To use, place the substance to be ground inside the mortar (bowl). Pound the ingredients with an up and down motion and grind using a circular motion when adding finer or liquid ingredients. The basic concept when using a mortar and pestle is to add a single ingredient at a time-and one ingredient builds on the other, forming an eventual well-integrated mixture. The grinding process releases the oils and flavor essence of the substances. When done you will have achieved results that are more flavorful with a mortar and pestle than when prepared in a food processor or blender.

The mortar and pestle are top-rack dishwasher safe,

The complete-prep mortar and pestle is warranted to be free from defects in material or workmanship for up to five (5) years after its original purchase date.

Note from Nomi: Well in all the years I’ve spent in the kitchen starting very young at my mother’s knee I do not believe that I have ever used a mortar and pestle. I wanted to see if it was true that you get more layers of flavor using one, although I had never been  particularly attracted to using a mortar and pestle; they seemed like a lot of work.

One evening I wanted to prepare just one serving of pesto. Now I am used to making pesto for 4-400, filling blender container after blender container but this time the amounts I wanted to use were really much too small for any blender or even for my mini food processor as I knew I wanted smooth results.

So into the pestle I put one tablespoon of pine nuts. I did the up and down motion described in the instructions, after a minute I got the bright idea to add the sea salt, this was definitely the way to go, very quickly the pine nuts and salt were ground fine. Then I added the garlic (Or did I do the garlic first I don’t remember now, anyhow the pine nuts salt and garlic worked up quite quickly.) Then the basil. That took a little longer and a little more effort. I was beginning to think “this is hard work”. Mostly crushed, mushed, pureed I began adding in tiny amounts of olive oil. Ah, much easier now. The end result? About 2-3 tablespoons of amazingly tasty pesto using what was undoubtedly the tiniest amount of oil possible! And it wasn’t such hard work,the cleanup was faster and easier too. I am sure if I use it more often it will get easier each time..and oh, there’s  no electricity required, adding to my stash of gadgets that only need Human Power. Yeah.

mortar & pestle price 29.95