Fried Capers Recipes

FRIED CAPERS

Steps:

• 1. Line a plate with several layers of paper towels. 2. Pour evoo in a small sauté pan and place over medium heat until the oil reaches 350°F with a deep fry thermometer. 3. Fry capers in batches for 2 to 3 minutes, until they split and are crispy. Transfer crispy capers to prepared plate. Use them to garnish your favorite meat or veggie dishes like our Chicken Piccata. Store at room temperature, covered, for up to 3 days. Want recipes like this delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up now for Jamie Geller's Weekly Newsletter.

FRIED CAPERS - MAGICAL FLAVOR BOMBS FOR YOUR FOOD

Steps:

• Pour oil into small sauce pan to 1/8 inch deep.
• Heat oil until shimmering or 350F.
• Drain capers and dry on paper towels or kitchen towel.
• Add capers to pan without overcrowding, in batches if making a large quantity.
• Fry until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes.
• Carefully remove capers from oil with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towel.
• Let rest a few minutes before using. If making ahead, they can stay uncovered at room temperature for several hours.
• To store, keep in covered container at room temperature for several days.

FRIED BRUSSELS SPROUTS WITH WALNUTS AND CAPERS

Steps:

• Pour enough oil into a medium pot so that the oil comes 3 inches up the sides. Heat the oil to 350 degrees.
• While the oil is heating, whisk together the garlic, anchovies, serrano, red wine vinegar, honey, scallions, walnuts and extra-virgin olive oil in a bowl large enough to toss all of the Brussels sprouts. Keep the bowl near the stovetop.
• Working in batches, deep-fry the Brussels sprouts until the edges begin to curl and brown, about 3 minutes. To the last batch, add the parsley and capers (stand back-the capers will pop and sputter!). Give the contents of the pot a stir. When the color of the parsley becomes a deeper, more saturated shade of green, about 30 seconds to 1 minute, remove the contents of the pot with a skimmer and place directly in the bowl of dressing. Toss to coat. Add salt and pepper to taste.

PUTTANESCA TOMATO SALAD WITH FRIED CAPERS

Steps:

• Heat 1/4 cup oil in small pan over medium-high heat. Add capers but be careful, they will spatter. Fry the capers 1 1/2 to 2 minutes until golden, drain on paper towels.
• Combine remaining 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil with garlic and anchovy paste. Add tomatoes, onion, parsley and olives. Season with red pepper flakes and salt and pepper. Garnish with capers and serve.

PAN-ROASTED FISH WITH FRIED CAPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Soak the salt-packed capers in water for 10 minutes, drain, rinse, then thoroughly pat dry. (If using brined capers, drain them and pat dry.) Pour 1/2 inch olive oil into a small saucepan and place over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot enough to toast a bread crumb in 30 seconds, add the capers. Be careful, the oil may sputter. Fry until the capers fluff up and begin to brown on the edges, 30 to 60 seconds. Drain the capers on a paper towel.
• Pour the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick sauté pan. Place over medium-high heat and add the garlic clove. Season the fish with salt and pepper. When the garlic bubbles on the edges, lay the fish in the pan, skin side down. Sauté until browned on the bottom, 4 to 5 minutes, then put the pan in the oven and roast until the fish is just cooked through, 5 to 8 minutes.
• Set a fillet on each of 4 plates. Sprinkle the fried capers over the fillets and serve with wedges of lemon.

DEEP-FRIED CAPERS

Steps:

• Rinse capers in a sieve and transfer to a small bowl. Add enough water to cover capers by 2 inches, then soak 30 minutes. Repeat soaking method.
• Drain and rinse capers, then pat very dry between paper towels.
• Heat oil in a 1-quart heavy saucepan over moderately high heat until it registers 375°F on thermometer. Fry capers in 2 batches until golden, 30 to 45 seconds per batch. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain and return oil to 375°F between batches.
• *Available at specialty foods shops and Dean & Deluca (800-999-0306).

FRIED CAPERS

Steps:

• Heat enough oil to come 1/4 inch up the sides of a small skillet. Place over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add capers; fry until opened and light-golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate before serving.

BATTER-FRIED CAPERS

Steps:

• Rinse salted capers, if using, and soak in cold water to cover by 3 inches 30 minutes (to remove excess salt). In a small bowl whisk together flour, beer, and salt. Let mixture stand 15 minutes. Drain capers and dry well. Stir capers into batter.
• In a small saucepan heat 1 inch oil over moderate heat until a deep-fat thermometer registers 375°F. With a slotted spoon remove capers, about 10 at a time, from batter. With fingers carefully drop coated capers into oil and fry until golden, about 1 minute. With another slotted spoon transfer capers as fried to paper towels to drain. (Batter-fried capers will stay crisp, uncovered, at room temperature 1 day.)

PAN-FRIED TROUT WITH ROSEMARY, LEMON AND CAPERS

Steps:

• Press 1/2 teaspoon of the rosemary needles into the flesh of each trout fillet. Combine the flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste. Coat the fillets in the seasoned flour.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the trout and saute until cooked through, about 2 1/2 minutes per side. Remove the trout from the pan and place on warmed plates. Add the shallots to the skillet and cook, stirring constantly, for 15 seconds.
• Pour in the wine and reduce to 1/3 cup, about 5 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice, capers and remaining teaspoon rosemary and remove from the heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Place 1 trout fillet on each of 4 plates, spoon the sauce over the trout and serve immediately.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS AND FRIED CAPERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 500°; place asparagus on baking sheet and drizzle with 1/2 T olive oil; roll asparagus around until it and pan are lightly coated; season with salt and pepper.
• Roast until tender-crisp and bright green, about 5-8 minutes and plate; meanwhile heat the remaining 2 T oil in a small skillet; deep fry the capers in the oil for 1 minute; transfer capers with a slotted spoon and sprinkle over the asparagus.