Hi everyone!
On this page you’ll find a list of Mexican cookware you’ll see referenced in some recipes. You can visit this page for information on what the cookware is, how it’s used and equivalent/substitutions for them. I’ll be adding to this as needed. Hope this is helpful.
Molcajete and Tejolote (MÕL-CA-HÉT-Ã) (teh-hoh-LOH-teh)- Used to grind things like spices and chiles. It’s commonly used to make salsas; gives them a different taste and texture than a blender does. Molcajetes and tejolotes basically last forever.
Made from porous volcanic rock. Before using it must be “seasoned” to get rid of all the loose particles. In my family we do this by grinding rice in the molcajete until no more loose particles are seen or felt. Usually takes a couple of days. An easier and quicker way of seasoning the molcajete is to soak it in cold water and scrap it with a copper bristle brush until there are no loose particles. My family prefers the hard way 😉
Equivalent: Mortar and Pestle
Comal (KOH-MAHL)– Used to cook things like tortillas, toasting spices and charring fresh veggies like tomatillos and chiles for salsas.
Comales come in various shapes and sizes and can be made from different things. Cast iron comales are usually used for cooking things like, tortillas and quesadillas. Aluminum concave comales are normally used for frying things like enchiladas, sopes and gorditas.
Equivalent: Skillet or griddle
Hechadora (EH-CHAH-DO-RAH)– A press used for shaping tortillas. Other names are: tortilladora, plancha para tortillas
Come in dfferent sizes and made of wood or cast iron.
Used to make corn tortillas. Flour tortillas are normally made by hand.
Tascal (TAS’KAL)– A round container used to keep tortillas warm.
Made of straw, Styrofoam, plastic or ceramic.
Equivalent: Container with lid. Simply wrap the tortillas in aluminum foil and place inside container then cover with lid.
Pocillo (poh-see-yoh) aka Vaso de Peltre– This is a large mug used to make warm drinks like hot chocolate and tea.
Equivalent: Pewter mug
