Cooking can be incredibly rewarding, because of the different combinations of flavors and textures which can be achieved. Whether you like to make sweet dishes or experiment with crunchy ingredients, there is no better way to explore the culinary world than through cooking.
Of course, no kitchen is complete without all the essential tools. These include a mortar and pestle, which are essential for grinding spices into powders and combining herbs into a paste. For more information, including details on how to clean a mortar and pestle, check out Honest Food Talks.
Here are five things that you can prepare with your mortar and pestle, and how you can make the most out of it.
Pesto
Firstly, pesto is a popular sauce which can be added to chicken, pasta, and even used as a pizzas base. The basil and garlic in pesto make for a very tasty and rich pesto every time. While this is most commonly made using a food processor, the raw garlic can become slightly bitter when it has been finely chopped.
Try switching to a mortar and pestle to crush the ingredients together the next time you want to make pesto. Even though it takes a little extra work, it certainly pays off when you are left with a tasty, well-rounded and aromatic pesto.
The great thing about pesto is not just its simplicity which makes it so versatile, but the fact that there are many ingredients which can be added. These include leftover kale, spinach, pine nuts, and more.
Salad Dressing
Similarly, you can combine egg yolks, oil, lemon juice, and plenty of fresh herbs if you have them to create your own salad dressing. A mortar and pestle takes away some of the harsh noise that a food processor or blender creates, and allows the entire preparation process for making a salad to be peaceful.
In this way, you can easily practice mindfulness when you are cooking. This is because you are able to focus all of your attention on the ingredients you are preparing, and what you choose to put into your body.
In some cases, having to work a little for your food can help you appreciate it more. Consider upgrading your Caesar salad by grinding the dressing ingredients together using a mortar and pestle.
Guacamole
Have you considered preparing your guacamole in a mortar and pestle? It can replace the traditional Mexican molcajete, and make light work out of combining ripe avocado, tomato, chili flakes, red onion, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
Make sure to adjust the seasonings according to taste and personal preference. Using a mortar and pestle can allow you to create tasty guacamole with ease. You can top tacos with this, or use it as a delicious dip that is well-rounded and that makes for the perfect combination with tortilla chips.
Chimichurri
Another highly flavorful combination of ingredients that you can make using a mortar and pestle is chimichurri. It is a tasty Argentinian sauce that is highly aromatic, and pairs excellently with fish, chicken, or steak.
Start by mashing plenty of fresh parsley in your bowl before adding garlic, red wine vinegar, red pepper flakes, and an oil of choice. The great thing about using a mortar and pestle to create these aromatic sauces is that it allows you to feel more connected to the thing you are making.
This is because of the higher amount of tasting that you can do when you are combining ingredients. Being able to adjust according to your preferences can be an ideal way of becoming more confident in the kitchen and trusting your intuition with deciding what a particular dish may need.
Curry Paste
Finally, you can make your own curry paste using a mortar and pestle. While most grocery stores have an abundance of options for convenient and easy curry paste, making your own can be a great way to use up leftover herbs and spices. You can also use this as a chance to make your ideal curry paste that suits your preferences.
Curry paste is a highly versatile thing to make, and it can be made using turmeric, garlic, lemongrass, ginger, cumin, and oil. However, you can use any combination of spices and have a little fun experimenting with different combinations and quantities.
Summary
The great thing about using a mortar and pestle is the seemingly endless combinations of spices and herbs which can be used. Have a little fun with it and develop your own tastes over time!
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Hi there! I’m a food enthusiast and journalist, and I have a real passion for food that goes beyond the kitchen. I love my dream job and I’m lucky enough to be able to share my knowledge with readers of several large media outlets. My specialty is writing engaging food-related content, and I take pride in being able to connect with my audience. I’m known for my creativity in the kitchen, and I’m confident that I can be the perfect guide for anyone looking to take their culinary journey to the next level.
