"PastaLover" > wrote in message
news:uC4pf.219$Cw5.209@fed1read05...
> Doug Kanter wrote:
>> "PastaLover" > wrote in message
>> news:dr2pf.213$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?
>
> All I said was what was written on the tag, not that it was correct...
>
> Granted, stainless steel probably hasn't been a common matieral for
> centuries. And I wondered the same thing about the glossy surface--hence
> my question. I wondered if it was traditionally used for something that
> didn't need to be ground too fine, or maybe something sticky, like a paste
> or something.
>
> If nothing else, it looks damn cool!
>
>

Sorry if it sounded critical, but I'm accustomed to being able to evaluate
things by looking at them. Perhaps this is not a universal skill.

It might be useful for mixing things that are already a paste, like blending
chopped chives into cream cheese. But, for tasks like crushing seeds/spices,
the glossy
surface will probably work against you.