If you need to grind spices on Yom Tov, do it with a shinuy: use a bowl, tilt the mortar, use a wooden mortar and pestle. Just be sure not to grind more than you will need for today. (ShA 1- MB 10, 11)
Do not use a pepper mill or coffee grinder on Yom Tov – it’s uvdin d’chol. (ShA 1 – MB 9)
You are allowed to grind garlic without any shinuy. (ShaH 18)
If you need to grate cheese or horseradish on Yom Tov, do it with a shinuy: grate it over a cloth or straight onto the counter. (MB 19)
You are allowed to chop vegetables very finely, as much as you need for Yom Tov. (MB 19)
You are allowed to grind matza with out any shinuy because the flour in it has already been ground. (Rama 3)
You might find big pieces of matza that didn’t get ground into matza meal. Do not pick those pieces out of the matza meal on Yom Tov – it is Borer. Instead, take them out with some matza meal. (MB 20)
Although you are not allowed to measure flour for a recipe on Yom Tov, it is permitted to measure spices so you don’t over- spice the pot. But if you usually estimate the amount of spices, do not measure them on Yom Tov. (ShA 4 – MB 21, 22)
