Grinding Anise seeds...

Has anyone else ever had to grind seeds like these by hand??? I'm working on that as a cookie recipe I'm making calls for 1/4cup of crushed Anise seeds. I couldn't find any in that form around town, so I borrowed Mom's Mortar and Pistil (sp?).

So far I'm thinking it may take me about 3 days to get it all done by hand like this. I'm doing a little at a time but it's still hard to get it all smooth!

Does anyone have any tips or tricks for me and my poor hand/wrist?

Mortar & pestle

Instead of grinding down the way you would juice a lemon, with short, hard movements, just make it go round and round in quick movements going from the top and working your way down to the bulk of the seeds, it may take a little longer, but i think it is better for your hands. But you may find some other way, just experiment.

I have a close fit m&p which is packed away already lol. The shape of the pestle fits into the mortar like a ball and socket joint, so that all the seeds or herbs are being touched and ground at the same rate. Like this: http://fantes.com/images/16150mortar_pestle.jpg

Oh one like that would help! Mom's is just a slender grindythingy. I keep going back to it for a few minutes and stoping for a few. I'm having one of thoes 'what was I thinking!?!' moments!!!

Originally Posted by MoochNNoodles

Oh one like that would help! Mom's is just a slender grindythingy. I keep going back to it for a few minutes and stoping for a few. I'm having one of thoes 'what was I thinking!?!' moments!!!

Click to expand...

Believe it or not, i bought it new for about $10 or less. It's marble, mine's a black one. I got it from one of those discount variety stores.

I'd really love a brass or wooden one for my spell working when we move

I'm going to look for one the next time we hit the beach outlets. There are 2 nice kitchen gadget stores there. I'm sure to find one! Although I don't think I'll be grinding anything else any time soon!

I was telling DH I wished I had a marble rolling pin to help the process. I'm sure I could only go so long in the bag before it started making holes, but still! I could put more muscle behind it with one of those!

I have used a coffee grinder to grind seeds, it worked well

Not sure about the grinding thing but you can substitute 1tablespoon of Black Sambuca Liquor for Anise Seed in recipes.

I use an electric coffee grinder to grind my spices. I have one for spices and one for coffee beans.

Here is the one that I have. It shows at $24.99. I don't think I paid that much. I think when I bought them they were under $20.00 each. Maybe they were on sale though. But they work very well. Takes seconds to grind a spice.

http://www.braun.com/na/products/foo...ffeemills.html

I'm going to keep my eye out for a coffee grinder! Thanks for that suggestion guys!