Step 3: Rinse if necessary
Taste one caper before deciding whether to rinse the rest.
If it tastes excessively salty or vinegary, give the capers a quick rinse under cool running water. If you enjoy their briny flavor, simply draining them may be enough.
For salt-packed capers, rinsing is essential. Soak them briefly if necessary, then taste again before adding them to your food.
Step 4: Leave them whole or chop them
Whole capers are attractive in salads and as garnishes. Chopped capers distribute their flavor more evenly throughout sauces, dressings, and fillings.
If you are making a sauce for the first time, finely chop a few capers and mix them with olive oil, lemon juice, and parsley.
Step 5: Add them at the right time
You can add capers at different stages of cooking.
- Add them near the end of cooking when you want their fresh, tangy flavor to remain noticeable.
- Add them to a warm sauce when you want their flavor to mingle with garlic, olive oil, and other ingredients.
- Fry drained capers briefly in oil when you want a crisp, intensely savory garnish. Take care because residual moisture can cause oil to splatter.
A useful beginner’s rule is to start with a small amount, taste the dish, and add more only if needed.
6. Seven Delicious Ways to Use Capers in Everyday Cooking
You do not have to cook restaurant-style meals to enjoy capers. They work just as well in quick lunches, simple dinners, and easy homemade snacks.
1. Add them to pasta
Toss cooked spaghetti with olive oil, minced garlic, halved cherry tomatoes, and a spoonful of capers. Finish with parsley and lemon zest.
The capers provide a salty, tangy contrast to the sweetness of the tomatoes.
Beginner tip: Start with 1 teaspoon of drained capers per serving.
2. Make ordinary fish taste special
