Kitchen essentials: mortar & pestles

There's something delightfully primitive about being able to pound, crush and grind your ingredients into submission. Here's a rock-solid selection for all of your dressing, marinade and salsa requirements this summer.

From top right, clockwise: Black granite mortar and pestle, 20cm, $59.00 and Judge marble mortar and pestle,  $49.90 from The Homestore (www.thehomestore.co.nz). Wooden mortar and pestle from Citta Design, $29.90 (www.cittadesign.co.nz). WMF porcelain mortar and pestle, 12cm, $62.50 from The Studio of Tableware (www.thestudio.co.nz). Olive wood mortar and pestle from Collect.Living, $45 (www.collectliving.com). Mexican mortar and pestle from Wah Lee, $49.00 (www.wahlee.co.nz). Stone mortar and pestle from Republic Home, $69.00 (www.republichome.com). Merchandising by Lianne Whorwood and Lisa Morton.