do you have to add any liquid to seeds to grind them or any other advice how to use a mortar and pestle. i bought one recently and could get it to grind seeds
2007-09-09 06:36:19 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Food & Drink ➔ Cooking & Recipes
Place the substance to be ground inside the mortar (bowl). Sit the pestle on top of the substance and apply downward pressure, then grind using a circular motion. This action forces the substance against the surface of the bowl and pulverizes it.
The grinding process releases the oils, and flavor essence of the substance. When done carefully you will produce a product that is more flavorful than a product prepared in a food processor. Depending on the food you are preparing the process can be quite laborious.
If you enjoy cooking, using a mortar and pestle will simply be part of your "craft" of food preparation. If you just need to "get the job done", reach for the food processor.
2007-09-09 06:46:46 · answer #1 · answered by sunnydaze 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't put too much into the bowl, the whole spices need to rub up against the sides. I usually don't put more than a teaspoon of whole spices at a time.
Once they're in, the best method I've found is a circular motion around the bottom, and stop periodically and smash any big chunks.
If you need to grind a lot and often, I'd go ahead and splurge on an electric coffee grinder. I know people that have 2, one for coffee and one for spices. It's a lot easier and you have a choice of grinds (fine, coarse, etc.)
Don't put anything else into the bowl for grinding. The spices need good contact with the bowl for them to break up.
2007-09-09 07:17:14 · answer #2 · answered by Chef J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It takes practice - once you put the seed or nut into it you first lightly pounce the pestle on it to crack the hull then you can push down with more force and rub the kernel against the side and bottom of the bowl. Rub down and around until you achieve the desired consistency - when pulverizing onion or garlic add a pinch of kosher salt to aid in the process. Hope this helps!
2007-09-09 06:47:41 · answer #3 · answered by Walking on Sunshine 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
place your seeds into the mortar and keep working the pestle over the seeds.
depending on what seeds it can take a lot of working to accomplish this.
just have some patience and keep working at it and you will get them ground.
you add nothing else.
2007-09-09 06:46:01 · answer #4 · answered by sonnyboy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can grind wet or dry , you need pressure pushing down with a twisting motion
2007-09-09 06:58:09 · answer #5 · answered by tipsy cat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋