Health tip #2 : Mortar & pestle

This one goes out to my pharmacist friends who have long kept the mortar & pestle a secret to themselves. Not only is it good for compounding medications, the mortar & pestle is a MUST HAVE kitchen utensil. I use it to make salsas for game days and grind spices for finger-lickin' rubs. But most importantly, grinding up fresh ingredients in a mortar & pestle is a healthy and flavorful way to marinade meats before tossing them on the grill. This Super Bowl Sunday, show your friends and family who the master of the grill really is with this simple marinade.

Rosemary Garlic Marinade:
In a mortar & pestle, grind up 4 cloves of garlic and leaves from two sprigs of rosemary. Adding a touch of salt & pepper may help break down the garlic and help with the process. Add a teaspoon of red pepper flakes (feel free to add more if you're a caspasin junkie). Add 1-3 tablespoons of olive oil to the mix and allow the flavors to break the ice with each other for 30 minutes or so before adding the marinade to the meat (this recipe works great with poultry, pork and beef). This recipe should make enough marinade for 1-2 pounds of meat.

Take this health tip and recipe and go make it your own! For some Asian flare, add some soy sauce and ginger. Nix the rosemary and add some cumin, jalapenos, cilantro, and lime juice and you're on your way to making some killer carne asada. It's really that simple!

Now go and get your mortar & pestles! I was able to find the Hard Marble Mortar & Pestle shown in the pic at Ikea for $9.99. For an upgrade, go with the white Marble Mortar & Pestle from Crate&Barrel for $34.95. Whichever one you choose, your investment is sure to pay dividends.