How Do You Season A Mortar & Pestle?
For those who enjoy the art of cooking, a mortar and pestle is often a staple in the kitchen. Instead of using a food processor, many cooks reach for the mortar and pestle as a way to grind up grains, herbs and other foods to release their natural oils and enhance their flavor. Before using these particular tools for the first time, it is important to season them to avoid any unwanted flavors, deter sticking and smooth what might be an excessively rough grinding surface. Clean the mortar and pestle under running water with a stiff cleaning brush. Allow to air dry. Place 1/3 cup of uncooked rice in the mortar and grind it into the surface with the pestle until the rice is pulverized. The color of the pulverized rice should be white once you finish grinding it. Discard the rice. Place four peeled cloves of garlic and a teaspoon each of cumin, kosher salt and pepper into the mortar. Grind the ingredients into the surface of the mortar with the pestle until all the ingredients are pulveriz
