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You are here: Home » Kitchen Essentials » Traditional Mexican Cooking Utensils, Part I

Traditional Mexican Cooking Utensils, Part I

Published: Feb 23, 2011 · Updated: Apr 15, 2021 by Mely Martínez

Mexican Cooking Utensils

The advance of industrialization changed the way our great, great, grandmothers used to cook. The electricity also made that the long hours spent in the kitchen were reduced drastically thanks to the invention of new kitchen appliances.

Metate | Mexican Cooking Utensils

The food industry created new food buying habits, and all those changes made some traditional cooking items end up as ornaments or in museums. Here are some of those Mexican Cooking Utensils that few people will ever think of buying and that others will display them as antiques. As for me, these items still have a use in my kitchen.

Mexican Cooking Utensils

The Metate ( Náhuatl: Metlatl) is a rectangular shaped stone with three legs used to finely grind the nixtamalized corn to make tortillas or atole. It is also used to grind seeds or dry peppers and spices. It has an inclination to one end. Like the more popular Molcajete, it is made out of black or dark gray porous basalt volcanic stone.

Molendera en metate | Mexican Cooking Utensils

When the Metate is used the woman will face the higher end of the stone, and she will be kneeling on the floor. At the other end of the metate, she will place a wooden or clay tray where the finished product was placed. The Metate is used with the Metate Stone or Hand Metate. The Náhuatl name is "Metlapil"; Metate’s son. This stone has tapered ends and is used to grind the grains against the Metate's surface. With the introduction of industrialization many years ago and many products ready to use in the markets, the Metate is hardly used even in rural areas. Funny thing is that even in the early 1940’s a Metate was considered as an excellent gift for a newlywed woman, now it will be a more sophisticated Kitchen Aid, I guess.

Molinillo wood | Mexican Cooking Utensils

Molinillo de Chocolate or Chocolate Frother
In México we had so many varieties of drinking chocolate as you can see in this picture, but outside the country, the "Abuelita" and "Ibarra" brands are the ones commonly found. Drinking a cup of chocolate with a thick layer of foam is one of our pleasures. In Pre-Hispanic times it was a symbol of hospitality and wealth. Before the Spaniards arrived in America, the natives created the foam using 2 small gourd cups, pouring from the top of one another, repeating this process until the desired foam was formed. The Molinillo we used today was created around the 1700’s in Colonial times and is made up of a single piece of turned wood, the lower part has two rings around a striate and hollow sphere. The Molinillo is used by rubbing the palms of your hands together. The foam will form with the twisting motion of your hands.
Spaniards loved chocolate so much that later on, they started serving it in Spain as Hot Chocolate.

Molcajete | Mexican Cooking Utensils

The Molcajete, a word that comes from Molcaxitl, which means bowl for salsa, from the Náhuatl mulli, like a mole, salsa and Caxitlán for bowl, is the mortar of México, dating back several thousand of years ago. El Molcajete is made from a volcanic stone carved in one piece, with a hand stone used for grinding, called temachín or tejolote from the Náhuatl words : tetl, and xolouia meaning stone that is used for crushing or grinding.
Isn't it amazing that we use a tool that was used since Pre Hispanic times? Because it is so handy in any Mexican home, having been invented 6000 years ago in Mesoamerica, the bowl with three legs has not changed much and for a Molcajete to get out of shape or get broken, well .... it will take many generations, in fact a Pre-Hispanic Molcajete and its pestle was found in tombs in Tehuacán Puebla, in perfect conditions.

Molcajete | Mexican Cooking Utensils

The Molcajete is used to grind spices, peppers, tomatoes, garlic, etc. to make sauces and condiments. It is said that a salsa or a guacamole made in a molcajete has a better flavor that one made in a blender. It is also used to serve the salsas and the famous guacamole. It is easily cleaned with a brush and water.

Mexican Griddle comal clay barro | Mexican Cooking Utensils

Comal from the Nahuatl word “comalli”. It’s a basic cooking utensil in the Mexican kitchens. Griddles
are not only used to cook or heat tortillas but also to toast seeds and roast peppers, almost every kitchen in Mexico has a comal. The Clay griddle is round shaped with an unglazed finish, it is very fragile and it needs to have a light coat of cal and water mix (Calcium Hydroxide). This type of griddle is used in rural areas in
Central Mexico and they were the standard griddles during the Pre-Hispanic time.

Nowadays, metal and non-stick griddles are popular on the market, some round others in an oval shape. This last one specially designed for the stoves that have a burner in the center to cook the tortillas. I have three griddles, the ones you see in the above picture; the clay one for thick tortillas, the long oval shaped for days when I have to make several tortillas and need a larger work surface, and finally the large nonstick round griddle for flour tortillas and crepes.

Mexican Cooking Utensils.

References: Larousse de la Cocina Mexicana, Gastronomía & Compañía and The Universal.

Traditional Mexican-Cooking Utensils Part II

Previous Post: « Roasted Banana for a Warm Breakfast
Next Post: Machaca con Huevo »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Felicia Antonio

    February 23, 2011 at 9:38 pm

    I can be reached at [email protected]
    My name is Felicia Antonio from Tulsa, Oklahoma
    I need that mocajete and want it!!

    Reply
    • Justin Mayes

      January 03, 2021 at 2:30 pm

      I have 5 boils 6hand rocks for mixing and 1 table it's the real thing

      Reply
  2. Swathi

    February 23, 2011 at 4:42 pm

    Mely,
    you are right, there some traditional utensils are still used in the cooking. Metate which is similar to ammikallu what we used to grind coconut and spices. Molcajete is looks like smaller version of our attukallu.
    swathi
    [email protected]

    Reply
  3. Diana Bauman

    February 23, 2011 at 5:11 pm

    What a gorgeous post Mely! I've learned so much. The molcajete is divine as well, aah.. I hope I win!!!

    Reply
  4. Gloria

    February 23, 2011 at 5:13 pm

    I would definitely want to enter your giveaway. I love molcajete's. I have the molinillo and do use it from time to time. Great post on the traditional utensil which are definitely still used and probably always will. Yes please enter me and thank you.

    Reply
  5. Diana Bauman

    February 23, 2011 at 5:14 pm

    P.S. I just shared on my facebook page 😀

    Reply
  6. Gloria

    February 23, 2011 at 5:18 pm

    Hi Mely. I came back to tell you that I will do a post about your giveaway, if you don't mind. It's a great giveaway.

    Reply
  7. The Country Cook

    February 23, 2011 at 5:28 pm

    Very interesting and informative post. I followed your blog so that I would learn more about the food I adore and I have learned so much!

    Throwing my hat [email protected]

    Reply
  8. kirby

    February 23, 2011 at 5:29 pm

    I don't need to enter the contest. I already have two molcajetes, one I bought in the early eighties (and rarely use, I'm ashamed to say) and one I inherited from my mom, which I dare say is fifty years old. You've inspired me to make three batches of salsa, and have a taste test to see if we can taste the difference between the blender, the newer molcajete, and the older molcajete sauces.

    Reply
  9. Lrimerman

    February 23, 2011 at 5:31 pm

    Great article. I find the traditional simple tools still get the job done the best!!

    Lisa Imerman

    Lrimerman at comcast dot net

    Reply
  10. Lana

    February 23, 2011 at 5:35 pm

    A friend of mine bought me a big Molcajete from her trip to Mexico, and I bought one at the Valladolid market (it is shaped as a pig, too cute!). I use the small one, but the bigger one is still a bit porous. is there a way to cure it and make it smoother? I am afraid that there will be grits of sand in my salsa:)
    I love reading your blog, especially since we traveled to Yucatan last spring.
    Looking forward to reading more:)

    Reply
  11. Gracie "Neky White"

    February 23, 2011 at 5:38 pm

    Ok, no puedo participar (entiendo por qué O_O) pero simplemente no pude resistir comentar. Me encantó este post por que yo tambien siento mucha atracción hacia usar esos utensilios tan tradicionales de la comida mexicana. Siempre he querido usar un molcajete! pero por que siempre se me olvida llevar dinero a los lugares donde lo venden, no he podido hacerlo pero lo haré! lo que si uso siempre que hago chocolate es el molinillo, la verdad es una pieza preciosa! uno no creería que se usa para lo que se usa.. jejeje.. Saludos!!

    Reply
  12. Lara @ GoodCookDoris

    February 23, 2011 at 6:09 pm

    I found your blog a few months ago and have really enjoyed reading your posts! Thank you for such lovely write-ups!

    And thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  13. Maria Ontiveros

    February 23, 2011 at 6:14 pm

    5 stars
    I just found your blog (via Gloria's blog post), and I love it! I'm adding it to my reader. We keep a comal (I think that's how you spell it) on our stove top at all times. It may not be that ancient but I don't see them in many other kitchens in our neighborhood!

    Reply
  14. Ludid

    February 23, 2011 at 6:16 pm

    i have a molcajete at home that i love. thanks for sharing some background info about it. also, thank you for taking the time to visit my blog as well.

    Reply
  15. Gabriela, clavo y canela

    February 23, 2011 at 6:32 pm

    Hola Mely! que linda esta entrada! a mi me fascinan los utensilios mexicanos, por supuesto que tengo mi molcajete y mi metate y los adoro. Es una obra de arte lo que hacen las personas que lo venden, y todo en conjunto, usarlo en la cocina con recetas de siglos, más valor aún le da..
    un besote!

    Reply
  16. Tom @ Tall Clover Farm

    February 23, 2011 at 6:55 pm

    I can't help but gain two things every time I visit your blog: a hearty appetite, and a lesson learned about wonderful Mexican cookery. Gracias Mely! Tom

    Reply
  17. loves2spin

    February 23, 2011 at 6:55 pm

    That is so exciting. I have never seen anything like that before. Today I am attempting to make hominy for the first time. I LOVE corn, corn bread... anything CORN. Thank you for this wonderful giveaway!

    I'm at [email protected]

    Reply
  18. Amy

    February 23, 2011 at 7:03 pm

    I am sharing this on my facebook page!

    [email protected]

    Reply
  19. Ziho

    February 23, 2011 at 7:43 pm

    Hola Mely,

    Es un excelente post para dar a conocer estos utensilios ya casi no tan utilizados.

    Yo tengo mi molcajete y de pronto usamos la tortillera.

    Excelente premio!

    Salu2

    Reply
  20. doggybloggy

    February 23, 2011 at 7:51 pm

    I wish I could win the metate version in the first picture - I have two molcajetes as it is...my grandmothers had beautiful old metates - I wonder what happened to those....

    Reply
  21. Karen

    February 23, 2011 at 8:28 pm

    What a fantastic giveaway... thanks for the opportunity! bigskycherrypie(at)yahoo.com

    Reply
  22. Erica

    February 23, 2011 at 9:25 pm

    Love the giveaway!!!We use the molinillo in Colombia to make our chocolate!Nice post.

    Reply
  23. Pily Guzman

    February 23, 2011 at 10:21 pm

    Mely; lindísima entrada amiga 🙂 me gustó mucho y la aprecio más sabiendo cuánto tiempo lleva hacerla... 🙂
    Linda entrada, me gustó mucho y más complementarnos ... 🙂
    saludos y un beso

    Reply
  24. LaBarbie0426

    February 23, 2011 at 10:56 pm

    hey mely loved this post lets people know about our culture,i however do not need to enter the contest because i have 2 molcajetes already! one that has been passed down for generations! i love hot chocolate! i especially love the polar one! when we go to MX we stock up! bcus here its unavailable! i appreciate you visiting my blog as well! hoep your doing well! take care 🙂

    Reply
  25. Gloria

    February 23, 2011 at 11:54 pm

    You know what Mely...I have to confess...I don't need to enter because I already have 3 molcajetes. One belonged to my Mom, one to my Dad and the other is mine that I bought in Tiajuana decades ago. So I better stop being selfish and greedy and let someone else win.:( Tee Hee. Don't you think? Take care and good luck to everyone.

    Reply
  26. Butterpoweredbike

    February 24, 2011 at 12:15 am

    Oh, what a lovely post, and so much fun to read! I know that a lot of foodies are total gadget lovers. And so, too, I think there is a bit of romance tied up with these older tools, and the way they connect us to our past, to our relatives. Thank you so much for sharing with the Hearth and Soul hop 🙂

    Reply
  27. Rebecka

    February 24, 2011 at 12:56 am

    Great post Mely! I loved reading about the history of the molcajete and metates. Very useful tools in the kitchen but also so beautiful. I'll share your giveaway on my FB page and I'll do a little post on my blog...
    contact info. [email protected]

    Reply
  28. girlichef

    February 24, 2011 at 12:57 am

    What a generous, generous prize, Mely! It's just beautiful...and I just happen to need a new one 😉 Thank you for the opportunity and thank you for sharing it w/ everybody at the hearth and soul hop this week!

    Reply
  29. Beatriz

    February 24, 2011 at 1:35 am

    I just started reading your blog last month when I began searching for Mexican food blogs to follow. I'm so enamoured by the molcajete now. Mom only left a couple, and the older sisters had first dibs on it, so I'm eagerly searching for my own now. Love your photos and appreciate the time you take to share your knowledge of Mexican cuisine!

    Reply
  30. zoe

    February 24, 2011 at 2:00 am

    oooh lovely... Please enter me!!!
    [email protected]

    thank you,
    ..zoe peace

    Reply
  31. Karen

    February 24, 2011 at 2:01 am

    thank you for sharing your insight. I completely agree and look forward to following your blog in the future.

    Reply
  32. floresfamily8

    February 24, 2011 at 2:04 am

    Hi. I visit your blog a lot but always lurk and never comment. My favorite post so far is your recipe for carnitas. I would love a molcajete! Please enter me in the drawing. My email is [email protected]

    Reply
  33. Torviewtoronto

    February 24, 2011 at 2:11 am

    we have similar utensils
    good memories of my grandmother using

    Reply
  34. Beadwright

    February 24, 2011 at 2:32 am

    Hello, I found your blog through Gloria. I am so glad I did. Your post is most interesting. I would love to be counted in on your giveaway. You can contact me through my blogger profile.
    Nicole/Beadwright

    Reply
  35. Art by Ruth Sagrario Macotela

    February 24, 2011 at 4:20 am

    Awesome!!! desde cuando quiero comprar uno pero siempre se me olvida, me encanta el molinillo es el preferido de mi esposo le encanta prepararnos chocolate con mucha espuma el que usamos es el de la abue :), tambien tengo un par de casuelitas de barro para hacer queso fundido o choriqueso y compre una olla segun yo para hacer frijoles pero no se como prepararlos 😛 aunque mi abue me enseño pero nada mas no doy una, ahi tambien a veces preparamos cafe de olla cuando hay visitas, el otro "artefacto" que tenia no se como se llama pero es el que le pones agua y tiene un basito para cubrirlo el agua esta simpre fresca, ese se rompio cuando nos mudamos, tambien la que quiero comprar es la "maquinita" para hacer tortillas...OMG! ya salio la lista del super 😛

    Me encantan tus post, Gracias Mely♥

    Reply
  36. Prieta

    February 24, 2011 at 4:59 am

    Mely - This is a great post, I really liked it! My favorite salsa is chile de molcajete. You did a great job explaining and disseminating this information, I really appreciate it.

    Reply
  37. rebecca

    February 24, 2011 at 5:06 am

    i appreciate the romance and seductive creations from a mocajete! perfect wedding gift indeed.

    and wonderful blog that i am happy to discover via gloria! thank you both....now off for more exploring.

    Reply
  38. Carmen

    February 24, 2011 at 6:10 am

    Me gustó mucho tu entrada Mely, y me hiciste acordar de un chiste cruel sobre los metates, pero no es apto para publicarse aquí.

    Los metates y los molcajetes tienen un lugar exclusivo en esta casa. Algun día que gustes visitarme sabrás de lo que hablo.
    Un abrazo fraterno

    Reply
  39. Nammi

    February 24, 2011 at 10:10 am

    Had to come an check out what kind of traditional utensils you use back home :), we have something very similar to the metate back home, its usually used to grind spice pastes.

    Reply
  40. Nive

    February 24, 2011 at 5:12 pm

    Lovely giveaway....Thank you...

    [email protected]

    Reply
  41. encintura

    February 24, 2011 at 11:31 am

    Muy interesante esta entrada. Está muy bien documentada. Yo disfruto especialmente al conocer el origen de las palabras.
    Pronto compraré un hermoso almirez (así se llaman en España) de piedra. Antes solo se encontraban de madera, que me parecen muy antihigiénicos.

    Me encanta tu blog y lo sigo con pasión.

    Saludos,
    Nikk

    Reply
  42. Donna

    February 24, 2011 at 12:58 pm

    Hi, I dropped by because Gloria sent me. Oh my! I do love your blog. My mother loved her Molcajete. I would love to win one. It is so beautiful and it would be wonderful to use one. I didn't realize it could be used for other things besides making cornmeal. How wonderful!

    Your blog is so unique and you are so well informed. I'm signing up to be a follower. :O)

    I'm so glad Gloria suggested I drop by.

    Sincerely,
    Donna @ Comin' Home

    Reply
  43. Ashlie and Alfred

    February 24, 2011 at 4:24 pm

    I'm so glad I found your blog through Full Plate Thursday! I love Mexican food, and I can't wait to start exploring your blog more. Thanks for a great giveaway too!

    Cheers,
    Ashlie @ The Delshad Duo
    [email protected]

    Reply
  44. Karen from Globetrotter Diaries

    February 24, 2011 at 5:02 pm

    I love all these! Great background on them-- also, I don't have a molcajete yet, so fingers crossed 😉

    - Karen

    Reply
  45. J L Health 918-836-0565

    February 24, 2011 at 5:37 pm

    I've always loved your stuff Mely and now I think so even more! Love the stories and tools of our older generations.

    Great post and thanks for sharing at the hearth and soul hop.

    Reply
  46. Leigh

    February 24, 2011 at 7:46 pm

    This is fabulous! great post - and thanks for a great giveaway!

    leigh.e.miller at gmail dot com

    Reply
  47. Mallory

    February 25, 2011 at 2:39 am

    I found your blog through Simple Lives Thursday, and I'm so glad I did! I am really intrigued by this beautiful piece of kitchen equipment because it is entirely hand-operated! I'm preparing to live for a year in another country and will be unable to bring any of my electric kitchen appliances--but this will work anywhere!

    sweetsunshine13 AT hotmail DOT com

    Reply
  48. Candace

    February 24, 2011 at 10:05 pm

    Hi Mely! I always love to visit your blog. I always leave with new knowledge about my favorite cuisine and a new recipe to try, as well. Thank you for the wonderful post and the giveaway! What a treasure for the person who wins! I'm going to share it on my blog and will send you a link. Be blessed my friend, Candace

    Reply
  49. Deci

    February 24, 2011 at 10:54 pm

    I would love to have this beautiful molcajete! I just discovered your site and I love it. Muy buena comida!

    Reply
  50. Yolanda

    February 24, 2011 at 11:00 pm

    Thank you, Mely, for stopping by my blog with an offer of help. I used some "field corn" that my granddaughters had gleaned out of a neighboring field last fall. It has been sitting in baskets near the wood stove ever since, so is VERY dry. I tried a recipe in a magazine that my husband gets, can't remember the name now, and I'm away from home right now, but it said to use 2 quarts of shelled corn, 8 quarts of water and 2 ounces of lye and boil that for 30 minutes, and then let it soak for 20 more minutes, then rinse and rub the hulls off the corn, and then boil and drain it 4 more times. When I went to rub the hulls off, they would not come off, and when I tried to open the kernels, it was like there was nothing in them. So, I looked online and found a nice video on YouTube about using baking soda to make hominy. I am hoping to grow some nice flour corn this summer and try it with that. Can you give me any guidance? Thank you again.

    Reply
  51. Susan

    February 25, 2011 at 12:11 am

    How VERY interesting! I'd love to be counted in 🙂
    Nicole sent me, and I am glad I came 🙂 I am now a follower!
    Susan

    susanscraps AT comcast DOT net

    Reply
  52. shopannies

    February 25, 2011 at 2:46 am

    loved reading your post very interesting
    [email protected]

    Reply
  53. Amy

    February 25, 2011 at 4:04 am

    Wow, I always wanted one of these to grind my herbs! What a wonderful giveaway! Thank you so much for sharing the detail information and history. Glad to learn something new. 🙂

    Amy

    Reply
  54. Laura (Bandida Blog)

    February 25, 2011 at 5:41 am

    I don't comment on your blog enough, but I sure do appreciate it. It has really helped inspire me to begin cooking traditional Mexican meals. Thank you, and thank you for having this lovely blog.
    L

    Reply
  55. Ange

    February 25, 2011 at 5:56 am

    5 stars
    I just recently found your site and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! Not only do you capture the food, but you capture the culture. I have learned something new today with the blogs about the molcajete. I actually have one that just sits there because I fear that by grinding the stones together, they will create little rocks or sandish residue in my food! Keep up the good work and thanks for taking the time to teach me a little about my culture too! I would so love to have a cup of the hot chocolate that they used to make with the froth/foam on top..yummm!

    Reply
  56. janis

    February 25, 2011 at 12:03 pm

    I learned about equipment I have never used.
    Thanks

    Reply
  57. Byte64

    February 25, 2011 at 11:11 am

    Querida Mely,
    que bonita entrada.

    A pesar de mis esfuerzos, no pude encontrar la manera de traer el metate a Italia, es que a la mera hora de embarcarse o me llevo de regreso a mi esposa o el metate, no me dejan subir al avión con los dos al mismo tiempo 😀

    En el pueblo de Módica, en Sicilia, hacen chocolate al estilo mexicano desde hace unos siglos porque así se lo enseñaron los españoles y curiosamente usan el metate para moler el cacao y hasta se quedaron con el nombre original para la herramienta, fíjate nomas.

    Me encanta cuando te llevan la comida en el molcajete caliente, un día u otro lo voy a hacer en el horno de leña que se presta mucho para estas cosas escenográficas.

    Un abrazo!

    PS: yo tambien tengo esos paquetes de chocolate Ibarra y Abuelita, jaja.

    Reply
  58. Miriam

    February 25, 2011 at 2:44 pm

    I could actually use these things quite a bit 🙂 Have a great weekend! Miriam

    Reply
  59. Paula & Skip

    February 25, 2011 at 3:30 pm

    Just found your blog and I am already enamored by it. I have spent 6 months in Mexico, actually in Palenque. I look forward trying some of your recipes.
    Thanks for being out there!

    Reply
  60. Miz Helen

    February 25, 2011 at 4:18 pm

    Hi Meley,
    Your post is very informative and I really enjoyed it. One can never have to many Molcajetes.I would love to have your beautiful Molcajete. Thanks for bringing it to Full Plate Thursday and please come back!

    Reply
  61. Cover

    February 25, 2011 at 5:08 pm

    Sweet! I figure now that I live in Texas, I should have a molcajete. BTW, my sister-in-law loves your blog 🙂

    [email protected]

    Reply
  62. susitravl

    February 25, 2011 at 6:04 pm

    We eat a lot of Mexican Food at markets, from taco trucks, etc. but I don't make much at home because that is so much better than anything I could make, but I am trying more recipes from my Mexican Cookbooks so maybe I will make a decent Mexican food meal one of these days.

    I am SusanBenegas and here is my email address: susitravl(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  63. Mary L

    February 25, 2011 at 6:06 pm

    What a fabulous giveaway. The molcajete would be a wonderful addition to my kitchen since my family can't seem to get their fill of Mexican food.
    Thanks so much, your blog is great!

    Mary L

    Reply
  64. Sue

    February 25, 2011 at 7:40 pm

    Lost mine in the move from Texas to Minnesota. Needless to say there are none of these in the small farming town I live in...Really need a new one.
    Thanks so much
    Sue

    Reply
  65. Ivy

    February 25, 2011 at 11:37 pm

    I just found your blog and I'm hooked!
    ivyhuntington @ gmail.com

    Reply
  66. Danielle

    February 26, 2011 at 12:16 am

    We gave one of these from Indonesia to our Aunt for a Christmas present and she gave it to Goodwill! We are wishing we would have kept it ourselves! We'd love to own one! Nice blog.

    Reply
  67. Sweetpeas

    February 26, 2011 at 3:08 am

    Interesting, I'd love to win!

    Reply
  68. Cory

    February 26, 2011 at 5:50 am

    ME,ME,ME...my brother ended up with my mothers many years ago. Would love to win this.

    P.S. love your blog

    Reply
  69. Gypsy Heart

    February 26, 2011 at 8:21 pm

    Hi Mely,
    I am a new follower and am excited to have found your blog! I adore mexican cuisine and it appears as though you are a fabulous cook. The article is very interesting and I would LOVE to be entered in your giveaway.

    I hope you'll stop by soon and say hi. Have a wonderful weekend!
    xo
    Pat

    Reply
  70. Chow and Chatter

    February 26, 2011 at 9:04 pm

    wow what an interesting post Mely and I love the frother that is so cool great giveaway will share Rebecca

    Reply
  71. Jeff

    February 26, 2011 at 9:07 pm

    awesome! i8feed @ gmail.com

    Reply
  72. Cooking in Mexico

    February 26, 2011 at 10:43 pm

    I have always wanted a molcajete, but somehow my kitchen still lacks one. May the best person win!

    Kathleen

    Reply
  73. Lyndsey

    February 26, 2011 at 10:56 pm

    I have just recently discovered your blog and am really enjoying it! What a treat, and a great giveaway! I will have to share this for sure on facebook!

    [email protected]

    Reply
  74. shelly

    February 27, 2011 at 9:14 pm

    would love to win these great Mexican tools! My husband is from Vera Cruz, Mexico and loves to cook and will soon be going to culinary school.

    Reply
  75. Angie's Recipes

    February 28, 2011 at 2:31 pm

    Those traditional utensils look really great! THanks for this great giveaway.

    Reply
  76. La Dama

    February 28, 2011 at 5:32 pm

    Thanks for this Mely..you ocupo un molcate..rara veces los eh visto en las tiendas Mexicanas en California.traditional is the best, la comida sale mas sabrosa pero it does take time..I found have a mini molcajete here.

    Reply
  77. Gloria

    February 28, 2011 at 6:46 pm

    Hi Mely.I just popped in to see how your giveaway is going and boy oh boy, lots and lots of peoples.:) I stopped in to comment on the comment you left me today and the boxes I posted about. Mely,you say that that type of art and creativity doesn't exist in your mind? Are you serious? Heck, you have outstanding art and creativity when you are plating those beautiful dishes that you show us and when you ae in your favorite place, the kitchen, where you are creating masterpieces. Oh you have plenty of creativity and lots of gusto! You go girl! :)) I'm crazy huh? It's true though. Have a wonderful day. I have to clean house.

    Reply
  78. Helga!

    February 28, 2011 at 7:37 pm

    I've always loved that Rivera painting of the lady and her metate.I adore the Mexican utensils,they are works of art as well as functional!
    X

    Reply
  79. NORA

    March 01, 2011 at 2:04 am

    Mely entre a buscar tu entrada de como hacer tortillas para enviárselo a una lectora. Como te dije no me llegan las actualizaciones. Mañana vengo a leer tu entrada, ahorita solo vi las fotos que son maravillosas, te felicito!

    Reply
  80. Bonnie

    March 01, 2011 at 2:06 am

    we use a mortar and pestle often, I'd enjoy adding this to our kitchen counter top. Thank you for the opportunity.

    Reply
  81. Gabriela, clavo y canela

    March 01, 2011 at 3:16 am

    Hola Mely, vengo a avisarte que no funciona mis actualizaciones :(, no sé que pasa, pero sigo publicando 🙂
    besitos

    Reply
  82. gabrielaskitchen.com

    March 01, 2011 at 10:40 pm

    I would love to add a "real" molcajete to my kitchen, the one I use now is a mortar and pestal copycat! gabrielaskitchen(at) gmail.com

    Reply
  83. Rebecka

    March 02, 2011 at 4:54 pm

    Hi Mely, just stopping by to see how your give away is going...wow, great turn out! You deserve it!

    Reply
  84. Al Dente Gourmet

    March 03, 2011 at 2:50 am

    Hi Mely, What a beautiful and interesting post! Me encantaron las fotos 🙂 Congrats con tu Giveaway!

    Que tengas un buen dia,

    Besotes,

    Aldy.

    Reply
  85. [email protected] Spicy

    March 03, 2011 at 5:52 am

    I want the chocolate stirrer and mortar and pestle.Very informative post.Enjoyed it thoroughly!

    Reply
  86. Lori

    March 03, 2011 at 12:24 pm

    I bought some of the chocolate on Amazon because I can not find it here locally. I can not wait until it arrives. I saw the frother and was wondering what it was. Now I know.

    I bought a mortar and pestle but it was not heavy. It was useless. Would love to have this one.

    Reply
  87. Swathi

    March 03, 2011 at 4:05 pm

    Mely,

    It is always good to take some present while visiting party. We take presents depending upon which party invited.

    If it is birthday party take some toys or other gifts for the boy or girl.

    Or it simple get together you can take homemade sweet bread .
    you can contact me in this e-mail
    [email protected]

    Reply
  88. Anonymous

    March 04, 2011 at 2:26 am

    I love your posts, especially this one. I've been meaning to buy a molcajete forever but just don't seem to get around do it much less find one in Maryland. And the molinillo!!! I have to confess I've tried a whisk. lol.
    Graciela

    Reply
  89. Anonymous

    March 04, 2011 at 12:08 am

    5 stars
    I love your blog and visit often. My mom used to make a great sauce in her molcajete. Please add my to the list.

    Reply
  90. Belinda @zomppa

    March 04, 2011 at 2:19 am

    Great to meet you!! You're so right about Mexican hot chocolate...nothing like it. This is beautiful!! WOW - this is a giveaway!

    Reply
  91. Anita

    March 04, 2011 at 2:29 am

    Very interesting and lovely pictures. We love to make homemade salsa, but do use the blender.

    [email protected]

    Reply
  92. Sonia

    March 04, 2011 at 3:05 pm

    Hola...This is one of the finest idea to reconnect the present generation with the past cooking techniques. The contemporary hi tech kitchen gadgets just cannot replace the authentic aroma and flavor of the food which comes from the traditional molcajete. My white stone mortar and pestle is so dear to me and makes my dish a huge success, always. So I would certainly vouch for the umpteen benefits of the traditional devices used by our mothers and grannies.
    Its a superb idea to get it as a giveaway and that too made in Mexico, can have the best homemade goucomole in the world !!!

    Reply
  93. Lana

    March 06, 2011 at 9:57 pm

    Mely, thanks so much on sending me info on preparing the molcajete. Now I am looking forward even more to preparing Latin American food:)

    Reply
  94. Irish

    March 19, 2011 at 1:40 am

    Very informative. I love seeing the tools used to make traditional dishes. Thank you for taking the time to post this.

    Reply
  95. Now Serving

    March 30, 2011 at 6:09 pm

    This is a wonderful post - These look a lot like our Indian dry and wet grinders - these were the kind of kitchen gizmos we grew up up and I actually saw the transition happen as I grew up and now I go back to India and these are like antique and cost as much because no one makes them any more and it has been a fashion statement to own these, forget using them!

    Lovely memories brought back - Mucho Gracias for that 🙂

    Reply
  96. Nichole

    September 12, 2011 at 7:11 am

    We have one like the Metate but it's made of wood instead of rocks. The Metate is so unique and such a wonderful work of art. Do Mexican still uses them today?

    Reply
  97. Mexico in my kitchen

    September 12, 2011 at 3:19 pm

    Hello, Nichole

    We still use this kitchen equipment. Specially in rural areas or cooking aficionados. The one in the picture is the one I use at home.

    Saludos,

    Mely

    Reply
  98. Mary

    October 12, 2011 at 12:21 pm

    This was a great post. While I'm way too late for the contest, I found your blog by chance and just wanted you to know how interesting I found this entry. I'll check back often. Have a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary

    Reply
  99. Unknown

    June 28, 2013 at 1:54 pm

    Thank you for helping me understand better the kitchen utensils I saw used in El Salvador. Que dios te bendiga!
    From Wisconsin, United States

    Reply
  100. margaret Gaeta

    January 04, 2018 at 8:50 pm

    My husband showed me a cooking tool his mother had. She passed away and he kept it, because he remembered his mom having it. It was a metate so I googled it up and found your website. I have enjoyed reading it and I am going to use some of the recipes I found on Mexico in my Kitchen. I can picture my grandmother's mother using the metate. I remember my grandmother making tortillas all the time on her store. But I think the old fashion way on your knees using the metate would be much harder and strenuous and yet these women used it everyday. I'm glad I didn't make tortillas that way. LOL

    Reply
  101. John

    August 01, 2018 at 6:34 am

    Where can you find these Items to buy
    Like bean smasher nd the others please reply
    With address to store or site I remember the kitchen
    Items like the ones you talk about thank you

    Reply
    • mmartinez

      August 01, 2018 at 7:03 am

      Hello John,
      Nowadays, most of these items can be found on Amazon. I wrote about it last December, you will find the links in that post.
      Check this link: Gift Guide

      Reply
  102. Kat

    November 27, 2019 at 7:31 pm

    LOL ... you make me feel old. I still use metate and metlapil in my kitchen. It's more attractive than the kitchenaid and weighs about the same. Dark better than light colours -the light coloured ones "shed". And yeah. I own a good molcahete. But the stick blender usually wins unless the suegra is coming. Vitamix wins for grinding dry chiles and seeds. But for tortillas de nixtamal ... nothing beats the metate. And a good hot soak and some muscle rub. Ahhhhhh the things we do to keep the suegra happy 😂

    Reply
    • Mely Martínez

      November 29, 2019 at 8:13 am

      Hello Kat,

      You are right about the metate, it is the best thing to make a very fine and smooth "masa" to make tortillas.

      Reply
  103. Hilda

    September 09, 2020 at 5:05 pm

    Hi Mely. I came across your blog by accident and so glad I did. Do you know where in Dallas or a nearby town or city near D that I can buy a Metate? I saw one on offer up but looks damaged. I also saw one one the Walmart app and although it says it’s made of volcanic rock, I am still a bit leery. Any info would be greatly appreciated. I buy heirloom organic corn from macienda.com and also bought a manual grain mill bit does not seem to grain field dent corn well at all. Thanks for your help.

    ~Hilda C.

    Reply
    • Mely Martínez

      September 10, 2020 at 10:31 am

      Hello Hilda,
      Yes, in order to get a finer texture in the masa you need the final bringing using a metate.
      Go to the Grand Prarie Flea Market, there are 3-2 vendors that sell Mexican cookware, including metates. Also, the Saver cost plus store in Irving, sometimes they have them too. And, if none of those work, check the Ancient cookware website. They ship to TX.

      Reply

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Mexico in my kitchen | Mely Martinez

Hi, I'm Mely Martinez, a former Mexican school teacher, home cook, and food blogger. I moved to the United States about ten years ago, after living in Mexico my whole life. Now I love to share home-style recipes for authentic Mexican food.

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