Project Pestle & Mortar (Cheng Ku)

I remembered back in the old days, I used to help out my granny pound away chillies and spices with her mortar and pestle . I was just a mere 10years old and being a nosy curious little brat, I often would disturb my granny in the kitchen just to find her squatting and pounding away spices and herbs to be cooked into a delicious dish of curry fish or curry chicken.

I offered to help my ah ma as I fondly referred my granny. I would offer to pound the spices for her so she could proceed with other kitchen chores. She would always tell me not to lift the pestle too high or else suffer being bashed my fingers or do not pound too hard or else the spices will "fly" into my eyes...

I was given a brand new mortar and pestle by my mum recently and I am absolutely excited to start pounding away. But first, lets learn how to clean, and season it. You will need :

An old used towel

Some stack of old newspaper

1 Cup Uncooked rice

Rough salt

Garlic

Coriander seeds

Cumin

Anise

 Place an old towel and some stack of old newspaper below the mortar and pestle to protect your working surface. Pour in 1/4 cup of uncooked rice and an equal amount of rough salt. Crush, pound and grind until it becomes like rice flour. Making sure to grind all the way up the side walls to get a smooth finish.

Once it all becomes a good powdery form, you will notice it is grey with dust left over from the pounding and grinding. Dump this into the dustbin. Continue to do this four more times until you finish up the 1 cup of uncooked rice.

This is the final result and as you can see the powder form is white in color meaning no more stone dust.

Soak the mortar and pestle overnight in water to strengthen the granite. Don't ask me how is this logical but this is an age old secret which was passed down from my granny to my mum.  Soak the mortar and pestle an hour before each use too.

Now the fun part in seasoning the mortar and pestle.

You can use any herbs or spices of your choice, but I like something oriental and aromatic.  Toss in garlic, coriander seeds, cumin, anise and some rough salt.

Crush them all into a fine paste covering all sides of the bowl. Leave it to sit overnight. Your kitchen will be filled with the scent of Thai food... Mmmmmmmm...

Finally, remove the paste and rinse with warm water. Use only hot water and a hard bristle or brush and avoid using soap

*Oh Ya FYI...I am a fan of Spongebob Lol