Prep & Assembly
Crush
Press or pound food to release oils and break it open
Crushing presses or pounds food to break it apart and release its aromatic oils — a smashed garlic clove, cracked peppercorns, or pounded herbs in a paste. It liberates flavor that staying whole would lock in. A firm press with the flat of a knife or a pestle does it.
Crushing presses or pounds food to break it apart and release aromatic oils — a smashed garlic clove, cracked peppercorns, pounded herbs. It liberates flavor that staying whole locks in. A firm press with the flat of a knife or a pestle does the job.
- Difficulty
- Easy
How to do it
- 1
Set the food on a board or in a mortar.
- 2
Press down firmly with the knife flat or pestle.
- 3
Pound or grind further if you want a paste.
- 4
Use right away while the aromatics are fresh.
Common uses
Tips & pitfalls
- Smash garlic with the knife flat to slip the skin right off.
- Crack peppercorns under a pan for a coarse, fragrant grind.
- A pinch of salt in the mortar helps grip slippery cloves.
Good to know
- Tool
- Knife flat, mortar and pestle, or rolling pin
- Best for
- Garlic, peppercorns, spices, herbs
- Cue
- Aroma releases as the food cracks open
Also called
smash · pound
Dishes that rely on it
Related
Whisk
Beat ingredients smooth and aerated with a looping wire motion
Sift
Pass dry ingredients through mesh to aerate and remove lumps
Strain
Pour through mesh to separate solids from liquid for a smooth result
Filter
Pass liquid through fine material to clarify out the smallest particles
Rice
Press cooked potatoes through small holes for fluffy, lump-free texture
Mash
Crush soft cooked food into a rustic, creamy purée
Grind
Crush food into a coarse to fine texture, from spices to meat
Grate
Shred food into fine bits against a sharp-toothed surface