Do you own a mortar and pestle?

[Papa Deuce]

And do you use it?

I just took mine out tonight after what was probably over a year, but am I glad I did! I toasted some cumin seeds and the ground them up for a Mexican dish... what a HUGE difference it made! The flavors absolutely exploded when compared to just using store bought seasonings.

EDIT:

 

[mommasita]

googling

NO

 

[Cass]

I do, it's from an antique apothecary set. but I don't use it, just for display.

 

[tonilea]

I don't, but I am really getting into using fresh herbs and spices. I could have used your cumin tonight. I made some yummy black bean and rice burritos, I bet that would have made them out of this world.

 

[terri01p]

Never knew what that was until I played a seek and find pc game ( huntsville ). hehehe

 

[Ms Marigny]

Yep, I mostly use it when I make jerk seasoning- gotta crush the whole allspice.

 

[Charade]

we do.

 

[OK!]

I don't, but my brother bought one for my mom for Christmas. She's mainly used it to ground up pills for the dogs, cats, and horses so far (which actually was the use he was thinking of when he bought it for her).

 

[Catzeyes]

We use ours all the time to crush whole spices.

 

[Topper]

Yes

 

[Sinderelli]

I have one from Puerto Rico...I think it's called a pilon there.

Never used it, though. My FIL has one that stands on the kitchen floor & is about waist high (MIL is from Puerto Rico). It is so cool!

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

We own several of all sizes and all ages...... but we own a pharmacy... never thought of using them for cooking!

 

[bballmom56]

We have one at the barn where I work. We use it to grind up the pills that certain horses need and then add that to their feed.

 

[FroggyinArk]

i make wooden ones.. but for some reason have never made us one to use so i still use the side of the knife on a cutting board..lol.. i really should make myself one or three

 

[tchrrx]

Yes, we own about 7 or 8. Of course, DH is a pharmacist, so that's why! We have tiny wooden ones, a couple brass ones, and a huge one that ways a LOT! I don't know what it's made out of, but it's really neat looking.

We have only used these once for cooking though.


(On a side note, DH spent quite a bit of money for a 'pharmacy spatula' once. It was kind of funny when we were first married & he caught me decorating a cake. He didn't realize his expensive spatula was very similar to the cheap cake decorating ones I had!)

 

[alanapapa]

Yes, I have one, but I was told it is called a "molcajete".

 

[ticktock]

Yes and I use it all the time. My pepper mill broke so I also use it to "grind" up my peppercorns cause I'm to cheap to buy a new mill. It is also wonderful to smash garlic into a paste. Much easier than using the side of your knife.

 

[KikiFan]

I don't and everytime I make yucca, I think "I've gotta get me one!"

 

[shortbun]

I have one. We use it every couple of days. Nothing like fresh ground herbs and spices.

 

[momto2girls]

Yes, I do. I use it a lot to grind up rosemary.