Mini-mixer/spice grinder recommendations

[nin9abadga]

Hello everyone! I want to start to making a wider variety of curries so need some advice/suggestions on either spice grinders or a combination of mini food processor and spice grinder - kind of utility machine.

Space is an issue in the kitchen, I don't currently own any mixer, processor, or mortar and pestle though do have a coffee grinder but it can't be easily cleaned.

I'd primarily use it for wet and dry mixes, dry spices from seeds for example and maybe the pulping of onion/ginger/garlic.

So my question is, does anyone use an electronic device of some sort for the same things? Or is it mortar and pestle and some fine chopping? Any advice would be great!

 

[glitch]

Admittedly it's not something I do often in the kitchen, but when I do I tend to eschew the various machines at my disposal and break out the pestle and mortar for grinding and mixing up spices.

There's just something awfully satisfying about using one in anger and it's a much more controllable way of doing the job rather than bunging it all in a machine and hoping for the best.

Just make sure you go for one made from a heavy stone with a decent well in the mortar and a pestle that will fit your hand nicely. And whatever you do, avoid anything made from wood or ceramic or a light-coloured stone - all will stain horrifically, leaving your once pristine kitchen gadget looking rather mucky.

Something like this or this or this would be ideal. You get the idea - heavy mortar with a wide well and a decent pestle.

As for the pulping part, get yourself a Microplane grater or similar - amazing for dealing with onions and suchlike plus it'll double up as a regular grater for cheese, zesting citrus fruits, grating chocolate, etc.

 

[robfosters]

I use this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Martin-Wahl...Z98C/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1357060040&sr=8-5

It is excellent.