"PastaLover" > wrote in message
news:dr2pf.213$Cw5.106@fed1read05...
>I was out doing some Christmas shopping today. Was in Cost Plus World
>Market. They had a stainless steel mortar and pestle; the label says "made
>in India" and the little cardboard label inside the mortar said it was a
>fixture of Indian cuisine for centuries.
>
> It's not rounded on the bottom; more squared off like a pot. The pestle is
> heavy stainless and has a conical end that fits in the square of the
> bottom edge.
>
> I did a web search--all the metal mortars I found are rounded, just like
> my existing stone one.
>
> Does anyone know about this Indian style and what special uses it would be
> used for?
>
> Yes, before anyone asks, I bought it (only $10). Can always use another
> kitchen gadget! And I've got a collection of other stainless steel kitchen
> tools/toys. But I am curious what I can use it for. I'm assuming for just
> about anything I'd use the normal stone one for, but are there any special
> uses?

I didn't know stainless steel was a common material centuries ago. But
anyway.....isn't a mortar supposed to have an interior surface with a matte
(not-glossy) surface, so whatever you're grinding doesn't slip away from the
pestle?