Christmas is a time filled with scents and flavors that take us back to our most cherished childhood memories. The scent of cinnamon, cardamom, saffron, ginger, and cloves fills the kitchens and creates a magical atmosphere. If you are wondering whether it is worth it to buy a mortar For Christmas this year, you are on the right track. One of the oldest and most authentic methods to highlight our wonderful Christmas spices is by using a mortar. When it comes to Christmas spices, there is no better method to bring out the best of its flavor and aroma.
But what is a mortar actually, which material should one choose and what should one consider when one is going to mortar? We have the answers below! Don't miss our favorite recipe with the gold of Christmas: saffron!
Guide: Vad är en mortel & vilken mortelsten ska man välja?
The mortar is a timeless kitchen tool for grinding spices and herbs that has been with us for millennia and is a constant companion for chefs and home cooks around the world. Its basic design consists of a bowl and a mortelstöt, and are often made of materials such as granite, marble, wood, or ceramic. When you are choosing a mortar to grind your Christmas spices, it is therefore important to consider which type of mortar best suits your needs, as the material gives a certain character to the spices being ground. Here is a quick guide on different mortar material:
Mortar in granite
A granite mortar is perfect for grinding hard spices and works excellently for example mortar cinnamon stick or mortar cardamom seeds. The material helps to preserve the natural oils and flavors of the spices and is incredibly popular due to its durability, weight, and the fact that they are easier to clean than, for example, marble. Buy your Dorre mortar in granite here!
Mortar in marble
A marble mortar is excellent for grinding softer spices like ginger and garlic. However, they are very good at absorbing flavors, so it is important to clean them thoroughly after each use to avoid previous spices and herbs affecting upcoming dishes.
Mortar in ceramic
Ceramic mortar is easy and simple to handle. They are particularly good for grinding herbs and spices such as basil and parsley because ceramic mortars ensure that the flavors and aromas are preserved in the best possible way. These mortars are non-porous, which means they do not absorb flavors, and are easy to clean.
Mortar in wood
A wood mortar has a rustic charm and is good for grinding certain dried spices, nuts, and seeds, as well as delicate and fragile herbs. However, they are not optimal for harder ingredients, or spices that can stain the wood or leave a strong scent behind.
Obs! Don't forget to choose a suitable size for your mortar. A large mortar is of course best if you plan to grind large amounts of spices, while a small mortar is suitable if you only want to use it for small amounts and want a compact model that does not take up too much space.
Saffran recept: Smakrika & juliga saffranssnittar
Now that you are an expert on mortars, you surely want a delicious and festive recipe where you can use this smart kitchen tool. A common question that many have around Christmas is: Should one grind saffron? And the answer to that is obviously yes! Or at least if you want to enhance the flavor of your saffron. Grinding can really elevate your Christmas cooking and take your baking to new levels. One tip to get the most out of it is to grind saffron with sugar or a sugar cube to make it extra fine and maximize the flavors. Here comes our favorite recipe for really good, simple, and festive saffron slices!
Du behöver:
150g Butter
1g Saffron
1.5 dl Granulated sugar
5 dl Wheat flour
1 tsp Baking powder
1 tbsp Vanilla sugar
0.5 dl Light syrup
Gör såhär:
- Set the oven to 175 degrees.
- Mortar the saffron with a teaspoon of sugar.
- Melt some of the butter & mix in the saffron.
- Mix all the ingredients in a bowl & knead to a smooth dough.
- Divide the dough into six pieces & roll into six lengths.
- Divide the lengths onto two baking sheets with parchment paper (three on each) & flatten.
- Bake in the oven for about 15 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
- Cut the lengths on the diagonal into pieces while it is still warm.
- Let cool before serving.
- Eat & enjoy!