Tuesday Treats: The Mortar!
UPDATE: Winners have been selected!
Congrats to Jama, ABitchinKitchen, and Quenna for winning the random drawing
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Tuesday Treats seems to already be a popular feature here at Macheesmo. I’m still getting comments on the last edition which is long over and winners have been selected!
So, again, I’ll just repeat the very simple rules of Tuesday Treats:
1) You need to comment on the post to be entered to win. A fair number of people were replying by email and that’s just too hard to manage. So only comments will get you entered into the drawing.
2) The contest closes at 7PM Eastern Time sharp. These aren’t multi-day contests. Of course, that means that if you aren’t checking out Macheesmo every day, you might miss it. One way you could make sure you don’t miss a Tuesday Treat is to subscribe to the feed or subscribe via email!
What’s up for grabs today?
Three of these beauties!
I use my mortar and pestle that’s just like this one (2 cup capacity) for a bunch of things, but I feel like it’s something that people would never really buy for themselves which is the exact kind of thing that I like to give away.
The nice thing about a really sturdy mortar and pestle is that they are actually really efficient at grinding things. The stone is so heavy that it’s not a lot of work and sometimes easier than pulling out the spice grinder or food processor.
A good mortar and pestle will also give you way more control over the grind on something. Sometimes I like to just barely crack up something like cumin seeds so they aren’t whole, but not completely ground. That’s pretty hard to do in a spice grinder which will just spin them into dust. A mortar and pestle gives me perfect control though.
So I like them and use mine way more than I ever thought I would.
Here’s a few recipes that I’ve used my mortar and pestle on:
Chili Powder Steak – This is a delicious steak and also my go-to way to make homemade chili powder. Once you try it, you won’t be interested in store-bought stuff anymore!
Pepper and Spice Cookies – These were really interesting cookies. Definitely different if you’re looking for a change.
Three Homemade Dry Rubs – Any dry rub is perfect for a mortar and pestle. Most rubs you want to have some texture still so a mortar and pestle is perfect.
Really though any recipe that calls for whole spices or pesto of any type can always use the subtle grind of a mortar and pestle.
Leave a comment and maybe win a Tuesday Treat! I’m giving away three. Winners will be announced at 7PM Eastern Time today.
Winners Selected!
Congrats to Jama, ABitchinKitchen, and Quenna for winning the random drawing!
Comment Pages
Lynn - "I think osso buco is my favorite dish of all time!! I make it for the ..."
RK - "I started a tradition of making osso bucco for Christmas Eve dinner. I..."
angela@spinachtiger - "I like the sweet with the savory too...."
Erika - "Yum! These sound great. And they'd make my southern roots very happy :..."
Lou Cee - "Disreguard the prior rant, it all worked out...."
Jean Gogolin - "yum, yum, yum. These are not too far removed from Guatamalan gorditas,..."
Definitely have been looking at these – keeping my eyes open for a bargain, so winning this would be huge!
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I've given a mortar and pestle out as gifts a couple of times, but don't have one myself. I'd love to try it out!
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My recent post Valerie & Justin | Nashville Wedding Photography
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Just redid our countertops to look like concrete and that mortar and pestle would look fantastic sitting atop them.
My recent post 5 Things I You Don't Want You To Know About Me
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Love love love this treat! As a Mexican living in the States and willing to experiment with other cuisine, I've enjoyed creation fusioned recipes involving different salsas. A mortar or a "molcajete" would be amazing in my kitchen for this!
Have a great day!
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My girlfriend had never used one of these in her life before I bought one for her. but sadly, that was just a rinky dink wooden one, barely capable of handling even a cups worth of fine Macheesmo recipes. Help me save her from storebought spice mix!
And actually, since I've got massive amounts of homemade curry powder to start making, I wouldn't mind borrowing it from her.
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I have always wanted to have a good mortar and pestle, but can never find a good quality one that's the right size. This one is perfect, I would LOVE to win it. Thanks so much for the chance!
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I would love one of these! My friend got one a few years ago and went through some kind of seasoning process with rice grains, I think? Did you have to do anything like that to yours?
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I've never used a mortar and pestle before but have been thinking about getting one for some time. This would be a sweet win!
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This would be awesome.
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I want to try making thai curry pastes with a mortar and pestle.
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Always wanted one. Hope I win!
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This is a great giveaway! My dad has one which I love, but you're right, it's something I wouldn't necessarily think to buy. I'm moving to a new apartment with my fiancé soon and we can't wait to have our own kitchen; I'm so excited to go grocery shopping and make the Chili Powder Steak just for him, in our own space!!! Thanks for the recipes, and this post!
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that mortar and pestle is gorgeous!!!
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Hi NIck! I have been wanting one of those forever!
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I've wanted one of these for ages! :D
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Ooh, I don't have one of these! Enter me please!
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Nick replied: — August 23rd, 2011 @ 5:45 pm
Winner! Congrats!
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It would be GREAT to have one of these mortar and pestles! Occasionally I use a coffee grinder to powder some of my herbs but a mortar would be so much better!
JoAn
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I used one all of the time when I was living in Australia. I haven't bought one yet since I've been back, but its on my list!
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I love and look forward to your blog. I'd love to win this stone mortar and pestle. I have a few Thai recipes that I'd like to try and would need this to make it the "right way". Thanks and keep blogging!
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Love this! I would definitely make guacamole in this!
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I used to play with my parent's mortar and pestle when i was a kid, pretending i was making food for my dolls and toys haha. id love to actually have one now that i know how and what to use it for!
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The spices in my kitchen must feel my wrath… with a mortar and pestle!
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Love that!
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Just this weekend I decided to buy one of these bad boys, and spice up some tacos with a homemade rub!
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I would love to win a mortar.
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Wow, a kitchen gadget I do not have. Neat
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Love your site, glad you are enjoying CO, it's a great place to live.
Your mortar and pestle would look nice on my kitchen counter and get alot of use.
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I never knew that a morter and pestle was for the kitchen! I have alwys seen it as a chemistry/alchemist thing! Now that I have seen some of your recipies and tried to do a few (slow slow process, with a 6,4 and 2 yr old!) I would love to try out some of the rubs before the weather is too nasty to grill! fingers crossed!
Have to add that when I saw your blog post title, I thought it was going to be some sort of recipie goodie, food treat, not giveaway treat! :) very new to your site! :)
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Molcajete it is. Good for wet mashing and mixing or dry grinding. My Mexican friend has one and I've been wanting one for myself.
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I need this!
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I have only used one of these in a cooking class and I would love to own one!
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I absolutely love going to Mexican restaurants that make guacamole in these. One would be fantastic.
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I can think of a few times I’d wished I had one of these! I hope I get picked!
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My favorite food blog!
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Nick replied: — August 23rd, 2011 @ 5:48 pm
Winner! I swear it was random and not based on your comment. But thanks for that also! :)
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I would love one of those! I'm dreaming of freshly made pesto!
My recent post Crumbs Cupcakes
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I always wanted to get me one of these.
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Yahhh, pestle and mortar! I need me one of those. I just started grinding my own seeds and, you're right, the grinder takes seeds down to a dust. Good for most things, but it's also a hassle to clean if you just want a tablespoon of mustard seed, for instance. Great giveaway prize (_8^(I)
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I’ve always wanted one of these!
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I would sooooo love this.
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I might could use me one of them doohickeys
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love seeing your posts pop up in my feed reader!
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I Love mine! I make pesto, grind seeds, dry rubs and a simple garlic/salt thing that goes great with green beans. If I were to win this one, I would gift it to my good friend, who is vegan, or to my sister, who I would teach to use it. No matter what, this is a lovely give-away, and kindhearted of you! xoxo :)
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I totally agree that a mortar is something everything needs, but they really don't buy for themselves. That's the reason I don't have one yet!
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yes please!
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I always wanted to get myself one of those pretty little things.
But for some reason I never did. I even registered for one for my
wedding, nobody ever bought it..
It’s so perfect for making rubs! I should go and buy one. Finally.
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Awesome! Last time I ground some seeds, my tool was an ice cream scooper. This would be a great addition.
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I have lusted over those for years and always find a "good" reason to not get one. But if I were to win one…SWEET!!!!
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