What Are Capers, And When To Use Them

In this video, we’ll cover what capers are, how they’re used in cooking, and some delicious recipes to try at home.

Chapters.

0:00 What Is Capers
0:36 what to do with capers
2:03 caperberry
2:30 What if you don’t have capers on hand
3:04 how to incorporate capers into your cooking

what exactly are these little green buds capers come from a prickly Bush called caparis Spinosa which grows wild in the Mediterranean and parts of Asia they start out as flower buds but before they bloom they’re picked dried and preserved in salt or brine that’s what gives them their signature Briny Tangy flavor if you’ve ever had green olives you might find that Capers taste pretty similar they’ve got that same lemony salty bite but with a slightly floral twist that sets them heart and because they’re usually packed in brine they bring a Savory salty element to any dish they touch now you might be thinking okay but what do I actually do with capers well the possibilities are endless Capers are a staple in Mediterranean Cuisine especially in seafood dishes like baked fish and pasta sauces like Pesca but they’re not just limited to that Capers can add a Briny lemony kick to all sorts of recipes from chicken picata to Hardy stews and even cheese plates in the US you’ll often find capers served with bagels cream cheese and locks they’re like the cherry on top of that classic combo and when you chop them up finely they make a killer addition to tapenade sauces dressings and compound Butters you can even fry them up to create a crispy salty garnish that will take your dishes to the next level but here’s the thing not all Capers are created equal they come in different sizes and each one has its own unique flavor profile the smallest variety called nonel comes from the south of France and tends to have a more concentrated delicate flavor that’s why they’re often considered the creme de la creem of Capers and they’ve got a price tag to match on the other end of the spectrum you’ve got larger varieties like Surfin capucines kotes and fines these guys tend to be a bit more acidic so you might want to use them sparingly or adjust your recipe accordingly and just to throw a wrench in the mix there’s also something called a caper Berry if a caper isn’t harvested as a bud it grows into a small Olive sized Berry with a long stem and little seeds inside Caper berries are also pickled but they’re softer and less peon than Capers so they’re not a onetoone swap in recipes Instead try adding them to an antipasto platter or using them as a garnish for Savory cocktails like bloody Mar’s now I know what you might be thinking what if I don’t have Capers on hand don’t worry we’ve got you covered in a pinch you can substitute finely chopped green olives in a 1:1 ratio calamada olives work too but they’re not quite as Tangy as the green variety and for those of you watching your sodium intake just keep in mind that Capers are packed in brine which means they’re pretty high in salt but they’re also low in calories and contain some vitamins and minerals like vitamin K copper and magnesium as with most things moderation is key so how can you start incorporating Capers into your cooking the options are really endless but here are a few ideas to get you started first up chicken picata this classic Italian Dish features tender chicken breasts and a lemon butter sauce studded with Briny capers it’s a total crowd pleaser and comes together in just a few simple steps or try swapping out the chicken for pork chops or even catfish the Capers still play a starring role adding that signature tangus to The Buttery pan sauce looking for a quick and easy pasta night whip up a batch of Linguini with tuna panesa this dish relies on Pantry Staples like caned tuna olives and of course Capers which get fried with garlic and red pepper flakes to create a flavor packed sauce and let’s not forget about vegetarian options capers make a great addition to roasted cauliflower steaks especially when they’re mashed into a compound butter with parsley and lemon zest or try them in a pasta dish with tomatoes calamada olives and fresh mozzarella for a Briny cheesy Delight finally if you’re feeling fancy whip up a mustardy caper sauce to spoon over grilled flat iron steaks the robust flavor of the meat is a perfect match for the Tangy Herby sauce so there you have it a crash course and all things Capers these little buds may be small but they pack a serious punch when it comes to flavor thanks for tuning in to fidy and don’t forget to like And subscribe for more content