One of the few items my kitchen is missing is a good mortar and pestle. While I can makes pestos and spice mixes easily in my spice grinder, I do sometimes miss the rhythmic, repetitive action of grinding by hand, not to mention the control it gives you over texture.
While I can find plently of sets that I like, it’s hard to know which one to bring home. These days, mortars and pestles range from traditional marble and wood options to super-sleek ceramic shapes. Here are a few of my favourites; maybe you can help me out?
From top: Nigella Lawson Living Kitchen Mortar and Pestle, marble Pestle and Mortar from Jamie Oliver, Joseph Joseph Ceramic Mortar and Pestle, Oak and Stoneware Mortar and Pestle by Sagaform, Mason & Cash Ceramic Pestle and Mortar.
Mine is from Ikea, it’s made of heavy granite or something similar, it’s very traditional and I absolutely love it!
http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/10100419
I think you need to be sure and get one that’s really heavy, wooden ones are probably just too flimsy to take a lifetime of crushing :)
I like the 3rd one because it has a lid. To me I think that is something that most mortar and pestles are missing. The shape is modern but still has a retro-vintage vibe to it. To me it just seems more functional.
I agree with Brooke – that third one is really neat!