Jamie Oliver talks you through using a pestle and mortar

Jamie Oliver
27 Aug 201005:49
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThis video script highlights the versatility of a mortar and pestle, a fundamental kitchen gadget for enhancing flavor in dishes. It demonstrates two primary techniques: 'bashing' for coarse grinding and 'muddling' for finer crushing. The script showcases how to create a spice rub, a basil-flavored oil for salad dressings, and a marinade using lemon zest, rosemary, and garlic. The presenter emphasizes the importance of mastering these tools to dramatically elevate the taste of everyday meals.

Takeaways
  • 🍽️ A mortar and pestle is an essential kitchen tool for enhancing flavor in dishes.
  • 📚 It's one of the oldest kitchen gadgets, originating from the basic method of grinding with stones.
  • 🌿 It can be used for a variety of tasks including crushing spices, making dressings, flavored oils, pesto, and marinades.
  • 🛠️ There are two primary methods of using a mortar and pestle: bashing for coarse grinding and muddling for finer crushing.
  • 🧤 To prevent spillage, it's recommended to cover the mortar with your hand or a cloth while using it.
  • 🌶️ For spices, start with muddling to break them up before bashing for a finer grind, suitable for dry rubs or curry bases.
  • 🌿 The process of bashing fresh herbs like basil releases their chlorophyll and aroma, creating a flavorful oil when combined with olive oil.
  • 🥣 A marinade can be made by combining acid (like lemon juice), oil, herbs, and garlic, which enhances the taste of meats, fish, or poultry.
  • 🍋 Lemon zest and rosemary can be quickly released of their oils by bashing in the mortar, which is crucial for a flavorful marinade.
  • 🧅 Garlic cloves can be added to the mortar without peeling, allowing the oils to be released and contributing to the marinade's potency.
  • 🥗 A basil-flavored oil made with bashed basil, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar can transform a simple dish into something special.
  • 🔝 Learning to properly use a mortar and pestle can dramatically increase the flavor of your dishes.
Q & A

  • What is a PESA mortar and why is it considered an important kitchen gadget?

    -A PESA mortar is a kitchen tool used for grinding and mixing ingredients. It is considered important because it enhances the flavor of dishes through methods like bashing and muddling, and can be used for a variety of tasks including making spices, dressings, flavored oils, pesto, and marinades.

  • What is the historical origin of the PESA mortar?

    -The PESA mortar is believed to be the oldest kitchen gadget in the world, originating from the practice of using two stones to grind early wheat for bread and other culinary purposes.

  • What are the two primary methods of using a PESA mortar?

    -The two primary methods of using a PESA mortar are bashing and muddling. Bashing is for coarse grinding, while muddling is for gently crushing ingredients to a finer consistency.

  • How can one protect themselves while using a PESA mortar to prevent ricochets?

    -To protect oneself from ricochets while using a PESA mortar, one can place their hand over the mortar or use a cloth around it to prevent ingredients from flying out during the bashing process.

  • What is the purpose of muddling in the PESA mortar?

    -Muddling in a PESA mortar is used to gently crush ingredients, allowing for a finer grind and is also useful for maintaining the consistency of mixtures like pesto, mayonnaise, or sauces.

  • How can spices be prepared using a PESA mortar?

    -Spices can be prepared by first muddling them to break them up, followed by bashing to achieve a coarse or finer grind, depending on the desired consistency for use in dishes like dry rubs or curry bases.

  • What type of oil can be made using a PESA mortar and how is it used?

    -A flavored oil can be made by bashing fresh herbs like basil in the PESA mortar, then mixing it with olive oil. This oil can be used to enhance the flavor of grilled meats or roasted fish.

  • How can a PESA mortar be used to make a salad dressing?

    -A salad dressing can be made by bashing fresh basil to release its chlorophyll, then adding olive oil to create a flavored oil. Mixing this with balsamic vinegar and lemon juice creates a flavorful salad dressing.

  • What are the ingredients for making a marinade using a PESA mortar?

    -To make a marinade, one can use lemon zest, rosemary, garlic cloves, olive oil, and optionally lemon juice. These ingredients are bashed in the PESA mortar to release their oils and flavors.

  • How does using a PESA mortar affect the flavor of food?

    -Using a PESA mortar increases the flavor of food by physically breaking down ingredients, releasing their oils and aromatic compounds, which enhances the taste and aroma of dishes.

  • What are some potential uses for a PESA mortar beyond the examples given in the script?

    -Beyond the examples given, a PESA mortar can be used to make various sauces, crush ice for cocktails, prepare herb-infused butters, and even to crush pills or make homemade powders for medicinal purposes.

Outlines
00:00
🍽️ The Versatility of a Pestle Mortar

The script introduces the pestle mortar as an essential kitchen gadget for enhancing flavor in dishes. It explains the historical roots of this tool, originating from the basic method of stone grinding stone, and emphasizes its multifunctionality in the kitchen. The speaker provides a tutorial on how to properly use the pestle mortar, focusing on two techniques: 'bashing' for breaking down ingredients and 'muddling' for a gentler crush. The importance of protecting the mortar to prevent chipping is highlighted, suggesting the use of a hand or cloth for safety. The tutorial is followed by demonstrations of three practical uses for the pestle mortar: grinding spices for dry rubs or curry bases, creating basil-flavored oil for salads, and preparing a marinade with lemon zest, rosemary, and garlic. Each example illustrates the mortar's ability to transform simple ingredients into flavor-enhancing compounds.

05:01
🌿 Unlocking Flavor with Pestle Mortar Techniques

This paragraph builds on the previous one by showcasing additional uses for the pestle mortar beyond the initial demonstrations. It reiterates the importance of mastering the 'bashing' and 'muddling' techniques to unlock the full potential of the pestle mortar. The speaker assures viewers that these techniques can be applied to a myriad of other uses, suggesting that the examples given are just the beginning. The paragraph concludes by emphasizing how incorporating a pestle mortar into one's cooking repertoire can dramatically elevate the flavor profile of various dishes, encouraging viewers to explore its possibilities and enjoy the enhancement to their culinary creations.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Pestle and Mortar
A pestle and mortar is a set of kitchen tools used for crushing and grinding ingredients. In the video, it is described as one of the most important kitchen gadgets due to its versatility in enhancing flavor. It is used for grinding spices, making dressings, and creating marinades, which are integral to the video's theme of flavor enhancement.
💡Mega Flavor
The term 'mega flavor' refers to an intense and rich taste that is achieved through the use of certain kitchen techniques or tools. In the context of the video, the pestle and mortar is credited with delivering 'mega flavor' by allowing for the proper crushing and mixing of ingredients, as demonstrated in the various examples provided.
💡Bashing
Bashing, in the context of using a pestle and mortar, refers to the action of forcefully crushing ingredients with the pestle. The video emphasizes the technique of bashing as a method to achieve a coarse grind of spices or other ingredients, which is vital for releasing their flavors effectively.
💡Muddling
Muddling is a technique used with a pestle and mortar where the pestle is used to gently crush ingredients to a finer consistency. The video explains that muddling is useful for creating a smoother texture in mixtures like pesto or sauces, and for controlling the consistency of the final product.
💡Spices
Spices are aromatic and flavorful substances, often derived from plants, used to season food. The script mentions using a pestle and mortar to grind spices like peppercorns, coriander seeds, salt, and cumin, which can be used as a base for various dishes, highlighting the importance of spices in achieving 'mega flavor'.
💡Dressing
A dressing is a sauce used to add flavor to salads or other dishes. The video demonstrates how to make a basil-flavored oil dressing by bashing basil leaves in a pestle and mortar, which is then combined with olive oil and other ingredients to create a flavorful salad dressing that enhances the taste of grilled meats or fish.
💡Flavored Oil
Flavored oil is oil that has been infused with the flavors of other ingredients, such as herbs or spices. The script describes making a basil-flavored oil by bashing basil and combining it with olive oil, which can be used to add a unique flavor to dishes, exemplifying the video's focus on flavor enhancement.
💡Marinade
A marinade is a liquid mixture in which food is soaked to add flavor and, sometimes, to tenderize it. The video provides an example of making a marinade with lemon zest, rosemary, garlic, and olive oil, which can be used to flavor meats or fish, demonstrating the versatility of the pestle and mortar in food preparation.
💡Ricochets
In the context of the video, 'ricochets' refers to the small pieces of ingredients that may bounce out of the mortar when using the pestle. The script suggests covering the mortar with a cloth or hand to prevent these ricochets, ensuring that all ingredients are effectively crushed and mixed.
💡Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll is a green pigment found in plants, which gives them their color and is also responsible for the process of photosynthesis. The video mentions 'bashing up' basil leaves to release the chlorophyll, which contributes to the vibrant color and fresh flavor of the basil-flavored oil.
💡Dramatic Difference
The phrase 'dramatic difference' is used in the script to emphasize the significant impact that using a pestle and mortar can have on the flavor of food. It suggests that the simple act of crushing ingredients can transform a dish from ordinary to extraordinary, aligning with the video's theme of maximizing flavor.
Highlights

Pestle and mortar is an essential kitchen gadget for enhancing flavor.

It is one of the oldest kitchen tools, originating from the use of two stones for grinding wheat.

The pestle and mortar can be used for a variety of tasks, including crushing spices, making dressings, and creating flavored oils.

There are two primary methods of using a pestle and mortar: bashing and muddling.

Bashing is for coarse grinding, while muddling is for gently crushing and achieving finer textures.

To protect against ricochets, place your hand over the mortar or use a cloth.

Demonstration of using the pestle and mortar to grind spices for a dry rub or curry base.

The process involves initial muddling to break up the spices before bashing for a coarser grind.

Creating a basil-flavored oil by bashing basil leaves to release chlorophyll and flavor.

Adding olive oil to the bashed basil creates a flavorful oil for salads or grilled meats and fish.

Making a marinade involves combining lemon zest, rosemary, garlic, and olive oil for enhanced flavor.

The marinade can be used for various meats and fish, amplifying their taste.

The importance of using the pestle and mortar correctly to achieve the desired consistency in recipes.

The versatility of the pestle and mortar for various kitchen tasks beyond the examples given.

The impact of using a pestle and mortar on flavor enhancement in cooking.

Encouragement to learn and practice using a pestle and mortar for improved culinary results.

Transcripts

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Mortar and PestleKitchen GadgetsFlavor EnhancerCooking ToolsSpice GrindingMarinade MakingBashing TechniqueMuddling MethodCulinary TipsFood Preparation