MOLCAJETE
The molcajete is the traditional Mexican variety of the mortar and pestle tool, which is used to grind a variety of food products. The molcajete was used in ancient Mesoamerican cultures, including the Maya and Aztec. The use of this instrument can be traced back several thousand years and it is believed to have evolved from the metate, or grinding slab. Traditionally, molcajetes are round in shape and stand on three short legs and are carved out of a single piece of vesicular basalt. Molcajetes are often decorated with a carving of an animal’s head, most commonly a pig, on the outside of the bowl, which lends its appearance to that of a short three-legged animal. In addition to the three-legged bowl, the other part of the molcajete is the grinding tool, called a tejolote. It is also made of the same basalt material. Among the ancient Aztecs, these molcajetes and tejolotes were more commonly made of ceramic rather than stone.
Molcajetes are utilized to press and grind certain spices and to prepare guacamole and salsa. The basalt stone has a rough surface which makes it a terrific grinding surface. Because basalt is nearly impossible to clean and sanitize completely, molcajetes carry over flavors from one job to the next and “seasons” the stone, very similarly to a cast iron skillet. Guacamole and salsa that is prepared in molcajetes often have a distinctive texture as well as flavor, from others which are prepared in electric blenders. Molcajetes are also often used to serve certain types of food and not just for food preparation.
Before you use your brand new molcajete, it is imperative that it be cured before use. Our simple technique to cure your molcajete is to first clean the molcajete with soap and water and rinse clean. Then, use the tejolote to grind some fresh garlic into a paste and spread the paste all over the inside of the molcajete. Leave the garlic just like that overnight. The next day, you should rinse the garlic from the molcajete. In addition to this, you mustn’t use soap on your molcajete after this first time. To clean it, you simply rinse it clean with hot water. The soap will rest itself down in the pourus surface of the basalt and interfere with the organic flavor that occurs as you use your molcajete.
Mi Fiesta is proud to supply a selection of functional and beautiful molcajetes for you to choose from. These are the perfect addition to your kitchen, as well as for serving your authentic Mexican mole’s and salsas. And for a limited time only, we are offering a free natural root broom with every purchase of a molcajete (limit eight per customer, please). This natural root broom is perfect for cleaning your molcajete. So, now is the time to buy your molcajete and get your free broom.
Mi Fiesta is your one-stop party shop, specializing in authentic Mexican products, party favors, sweets, food and much more. You can find everything Mexican you need right here at www.mifiesta.com!
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