Herbs & Spices Accessories

Mortar and Pestles

"Caveman Food Processors" that's what one of the kids in my cooking class called them. Probably one of the first kitchen utensils is still useful today. One of the most famous uses is in making pestos...from the word "pestara" meaning to pound or crush...which are pastes traditionally made from pounded basil, pine nuts, garlic and olive oil. Pesto can be made out of various herbs and nuts to add a dash of spice to any meat or create a simple appetiser of brushetta. Many cultures use a mortar and pestle to make sauces and spice paste to enhance their cuisine, or use them simply to grind up grains or legumes into flour. Herbalist and Pharmacists have used them to create potions and compounds to cure the ill. Kids today may recognize them as an important tool Harry Potter used in his potions class. If you are using dried herbs, a quick pounding in a mortar and pestle will release the oils and create a more flavorful dish.

Garlic Slicers and Crushers