On Sat, 17 Sep 2011 12:58:56 -0700 (PDT), Helpful person wrote:

> On Sep 17, 11:53*am, Terry Pulliam Burd > wrote:
>> Generally speaking, a mortar and pestle are all that's needed to grind
>> herbs and spices, but I would like to find a good herb and spice
>> grinder for the really hard stuff like star anise and nuts. Anyone
>> have a good 'un they can recommend?
>>
>> TIA,
>> Terry "Squeaks" Pulliam Burd
>>
>> --
>>
>> To reply, remove "spambot" and replace it with "cox"
>
> For the really hard stuff you can always put them in a plastic bag and
> hit them with the bottom of a small saucepan.

or the flat side of a meat tenderizer:

<http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=10805597>

your pal,
blake