Big Chekku, also known as Ural, is a traditional oil extraction device widely used in South India. It consists of a large wooden or stone mortar and a heavy wooden pestle. This process is typically done manually, often by multiple people working together to operate the pestle.
Here are some of its uses:
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Grinding Spices: One of the primary uses of a ural is to grind spices. It's particularly useful for grinding whole spices like cumin seeds, coriander seeds, peppercorns, etc., to make fresh spice blends or powders.
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Making Pastes and Chutneys: The large size and sturdy construction of a ural make it ideal for grinding ingredients into pastes or chutneys. This includes ingredients like garlic, ginger, green chilies, coconut, and herbs like cilantro.
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Preparing Wet Masalas: Indian cuisine often involves the use of wet masalas, which are spice mixes combined with liquids like water, yogurt, or vinegar. A ural is perfect for grinding these wet masalas to the desired consistency.
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Crushing Herbs: If you're working with fresh herbs like mint, basil, or curry leaves, a ural can be used to crush them gently, releasing their flavors and aromas effectively.
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Making Batter: In South Indian cuisine, a ural is sometimes used to grind soaked rice and lentils to make batters for dishes like dosa, idli, and vada.
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Pounding Ingredients: Apart from grinding, the pestle of the ural can be used to pound ingredients like garlic cloves, ginger, or even meat, breaking them down to release flavors or tenderize them.
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Preparing Traditional Remedies: In addition to culinary uses, a ural is also used in traditional Indian medicine (Ayurveda) for grinding herbs and other ingredients to prepare herbal remedies and pastes for various ailments.
The versatility and durability of a ural make it a staple in Indian kitchens, especially for those who prefer traditional methods of cooking and grinding.
