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How long has it been since you cracked open that forgotten jar of capers in your fridge? It's time you add some sharpness back to your cooking and capers are just the ingredient you need.
From appetizers and salads to succulent main courses and desserts, these gourmet recipes will show you how to use capers to kick up your meals.
What are capers?
These salty, briny, sour Mediterranean flower buds are traditionally paired with seafood but they are great in other dishes too.
The fruit of the caper plant is referred to as caper berries. Both capers and caper berries are edible and add a nice zing to your dishes.
Where Does the Caper Plant Grow?
Capers grow on bushes and thrive in hot and sunny climates, such as the Mediterranean basin. It is said that the best capers are harvested in Italy's Liguria region, or the Aeolian Islands.
10 Gourmet Recipes with Capers
STEAMED SWORDFISH BAGNARA-STYLE
Italian food master Lidia Bastianich shows you how to use capers in her delightful recipe for steamed swordfish with lemon, parsley and oregano.
VITELLO TONNATO
This classic northern Italian dish of roasted veal served with a rich and creamy tuna sauce gets its bite from capers and white wine.
FERGUS HENDERSON'S BONE MARROW
Renown British chef Fergus Henderson serves this caper-laced bone barrow main course at his famous restaurant St. John's in London.
DEVILED EGGS THREE WAYS
Choose from three different recipes for deviled eggs, one of which highlights the delicious combination of cream cheese and capers.
ITALIAN CROSTINI WITH OLIVES
Capers, black olives and pine nuts are a gorgeous pairing in this quick and easy dip served over crusty baguette slices.
PANZANELLA
You'll want to rinse and drain capers before tossing them into this colorful Tuscan salad made with day-old bread.
MEATLOAF WITH HERB SAUCE
This mouthwatering recipe shows you how to use capers to make a tangy herb sauce to serve with modern meatloaf.
SCALLOPS WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH CAPONATA
Scallops are cooked in butter and rosemary until golden then served with a fragrant butternut squash caponata infused with capers, garlic and pine nuts.
FOCACCIA WITH TOMATOES
Cherry tomatoes stuffed with chopped anchovies and capers make this focaccia bread a wonderful savory treat you can enjoy with a glass of wine.
TIRAMI 'SUD' DESSERT
This creative tiramisu recipe from Italian chefs Alessandro Negrini and Fabio Pisani calls for a host of unconventional ingredients including capers and Greek yogurt.
Hungry for more?
