Earlier this summer, my mom called to tell me that the only kitchen gadget I truly need to own is a mortar and pestle. She explained that she’d heard this fact on a podcast, so it had to be true. I listened and nodded, chopping up some garlic for a spicy veggie stir-fry I was making. A couple of weeks ago, a package showed up in the mail for me. My mom had gone and bought me a granite mortar and pestle, intent on proving its usefulness. I took it out of the package, read the cleaning instructions, and put it on my bookshelf, where it looked quite elegant. “I guess it will be useful for making guacamole?” I thought.

I WAS A FOOL BACK THEN. Yes, my mortar and pestle is indeed great for making guacamole, but it is so much more than that. I can hardly believe I used to CHOP GARLIC. Chopping garlic probably took whole days off of my life. I put garlic in almost everything. The chopping never ended. But now, I don’t chop my garlic; I pound it in my mortar and pestle. And not only does it take way less time—and act as a bit of a stress reliever—I’m told by culinary experts that using a mortar and pestle to pulverize garlic is better for the overall flavor of your dish than chopping it is. I cook a lot of Indian food, and grinding spices and herbs for my curries has never been easier. There is a reason these things have been around since 35,000 B.C. They are useful as fuck.

Ever since incorporating my mortar and pestle into my daily cooking routine, I feel superior to everyone I know, and you too can feel like the king of your kitchen by getting your mortar and pestle on (the one I have was only $16.99 on Amazon). Food processors are for 21st-century chumps TBH. Go old-school and feel so much better than your technology-dependent friends.


1. Guacamole

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2. Pesto

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3. Thai Red Curry Paste

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4. Masala Chai

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5. Roasted Tomato-Jalapeño Salsa

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6. Black Olive Tapenade With Garlic, Capers, and Anchovies

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7. Caesar Salad

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8. Hummus

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9. Aioli

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10. Taramasalata

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11. Taco Seasoning

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12. Chimichurri

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13. Spicy Garlic Salmon

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14. Coriander Chutney

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15. Red Chili Garlic Chutney

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16. Thai Green Papaya Salad

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17. Chicken and Green Mango Salad

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18. Mojo

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19. Spice-Rubbed Fish Sliders

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20. Grilled Oysters with Spiced Tequila Butter

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21. Mojito

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22. Clams with Black Bean Sauce, Bok Choy, and Noodles

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23. Stir-Fried Chicken with Hot Basil

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24. Hot Chocolate

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25. Lemon Basil Panna Cotta

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