Simple and versatile, the mortar and pestle is a popular piece of kitchenware that has been in existence for millennia. Read on to find our top recommendations.

One person's mortar and pestle is another person's molcajete (Mexico) and still another's suribachi (Japan). You can find mortars of almost any material: lava, volcanic rock, wood, brass, marble ...

In a large, sturdy mortar (preferably marble with a wooden pestle), sprinkle the garlic with 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pound and grind it to a relatively smooth paste.