Caper

About

Capers, the buds of the caper bush, add a fresh, briny sharpness that can lift a bland meat dish or seafood cocktail. Salted capers keep more of their flavor than brined ones; soaking them for about 15 minutes brings out their herbal, mustard-like character. Some cooks marinate rinsed capers in white wine and herbs before adding them to salads or sauces. Caperberries, the fruit of the same plant rather than its buds, are related but distinct.

Pairs well with caper

• CiLemonA bright, sharp pairing used in mayonnaise, in dressings for smoked salmon or fried fish, and in lemon-caper pasta.
• EaPotatoCapers add sharpness and cut through richness in potato dishes, Mediterranean potato salad, Greek skordalia, or simply served with sautéed…
• FrTomatoCapers grown in Santorini's volcanic soil are noted for their intense flavor; sun-dried, they're cooked into a tomato sauce traditionally…
• MeBeefCapers, a tropical relative of the mustard family, contain mustard oil (isothiocyanate) -- reflected in their Caribbean names, such as…
• MaShellfishCapers pair well with all seafood.
• MeLambCapers' salty bitterness balances the sweetness of lamb; a classic preparation serves boiled leg of mutton and root vegetables with a…
• MaOily FishMethyl isothiocyanate, a mustard-like compound found in capers and also in horseradish (a classic partner for oily fish), explains why…
• ChGoat CheeseCapric acid, a compound largely responsible for caper's flavor after pickling, is also a significant contributor to goat cheese's flavor,…
• GrParsleyBoth bring bright, green freshness that cuts through fried food, often combined as salsa verde and served with fried eggplant, battered…
• SuCauliflowerCauliflower's mild flavor benefits from capers' sharp saltiness.
• BrAnchovySmall amounts of caper and anchovy can transform bland or oily dishes.
• BrOliveCombined in tapenade, a coarse paste of capers, olives, thyme and olive oil, sometimes with anchovy or garlic.
• GrCucumberCornichons, small pickled cucumbers with thin, crunchy skin, are combined with capers in tartare sauce, in sauce gribiche (with herbs and…
• ChSoft CheeseWhole capers stirred into rich cream cheese make a simple spread; small French nonpareil capers, prized for their fine, radish-like…
• EaBeetSweet beet and tangy caper resemble a honey-mustard combination.
• BrSmoked FishA classic garnish for smoked salmon, capers cut through its fattiness and heighten its perceived sweetness by contrast.