Crushing spices

Crushing spices such as carom seeds and dried fenugreek leaves can be done using a pestle and mortar or a rolling pin. Carom seeds crush well in a pestle and mortar and although dried fenugreek leaves can also be crushed in this way, it is preferable to use the palm of your hands to crush them as they are being added to the dish. Many of the Indian spices can be crushed using a pestle and mortar, apart from a few whole spices which are harder to break down.