Can I Make Pesto With Granite Mortar And Pestle

Despite having already published a detailed pesto recipe recipe using a blender featured in the vegetable section of the website this time i have decided to give it a go using pestle and mortar.

Can i make pesto with granite mortar and pestle.

It works better as an alternative for making pesto than the mediterranean one does as an alternative for making curry pastes. You ll get arguably superior results as you re crushing and bruising the ingredients instead of finely chopping them which can make the raw garlic and basil taste bitter. Add and pound in pine nuts. Sprinkle with salt and mash the garlic until it becomes a paste.

There s something so therapeutic and rewarding about creating something by hand. Salt and pepper to taste. While the same results can be achieved with a spice grinder small. My favorite way to replace a mortar and pestle for soft ingredients garlic chilies herbs et al is with a mug and a cutting board.

Place the pine nuts basil garlic cloves into a pestle and mortar and bash it all together grinding it until it s a paste. What is it about this low tech tool that makes it so amazing. Step 1 crush garlic and pinch of kosher salt in a mortar with the pestle until garlic is mashed and paste like 1 or 2 minutes. Roughly chop garlic clove and add to the mortar and pestle.

While you could just toss your ingredients into a food processor this is how you do it nonna style. But and this is a big but if you know you won t make curry pastes with your mortar and pestle the mediterranean one is my top pick for you. A mortar and pestle combine the garlic and salt in a mortar and pestle and pound to a paste. One of the most classic uses of a mortar and pestle is for pesto.

A blender or food processor is quick and fuss free but the ol mortar and pestle requires a bit of extra tlc. Add basil in 3 or 4 additions crushing and pounding down the leaves until they form a fairly fine paste about 8 minutes or more depending on size of leaves and thickness of stems. Pressing and twisting the pestle against the mortar breaks down spices and other ingredients turning them into a powder or paste. Roughly chop basil and parsley and add in small batches to the mortar and pestle.

Add the olive oil and cheese and mix together. Yes using a mortar and pestle takes time and effort but the results are so worth it. Once each batch is broken down add a little more. Alternatively use a food processor to blend until finely chopped.

Simply cut your ingredients into thin slices then give them a good smashing with the underside of your favorite coffee mug the heavier the mug the better. Add the basil leaves.