Caper Potato Garlic Dip Recipes

.GREEK CAPER DIP/SPREAD "KAPAROSALATA"

Steps:

• Peel & boil the potatoes for about 20 minutes and set aside to cool. Place in a bowl and mash with a fork. Add the chopped capers, the garlic, the onion, the olive oil, pepper, vinegar, and pinch of salt. Mix well.
• I find it easier to put half the amount in my food processor and then add the other half to be sure it's mixed well/
• Serve as a meze, appetizer dip with toasted garlic bread or crackers, or as a spread for grilled fish or chicken. KALI OREXI: ENJOY!
• Last night we had "Meze" night. My hubby enjoyed his caper dip on a cracker.

CAPER POTATO-GARLIC DIP

Steps:

• Squeeze the excess water from the soaked bread and place it in a food processor. Add the garlic and process until it forms a smooth paste. Add all but one tablespoon of the capers and process until smooth. With the motor running, add the olive oil, a little at a time. Add 3 tablespoons lemon juice and the almonds and pulse to coarsely chop.
• Scrape the mixture into a medium bowl and fold in the mashed potato. (Do not do this in the food processor, or the potato will become gluey.) Season with pepper and, if necessary, salt to taste. Add more lemon juice to taste. Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours.
• Stir in a few tablespoons of water if the dip is very thick. Garnish with the remaining tablespoon of capers. The dip can be served with sliced bread or crudites or over steamed or poached fish or used to make the octopus-with- garlic-sauce recipe that follows.

SKORDALIA (GREEK GARLIC POTATO DIP)

Steps:

• Peel and quarter the potatoes and add to a saucepan with enough cold salted water to cover by 1 inch. Place over medium-high heat; bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium and continue to simmer until potatoes are tender, but not falling apart, 15 to 20 minutes.
• While potatoes are cooking, add garlic and 1 teaspoon kosher salt to a mortar and pestle. Crush into a fine paste and reserve.
• Drain potatoes, reserving some of the cooking water to thin the dip out with later if desired. Let sit for 5 minutes.
• Transfer the potatoes to a mixing bowl. Mash with a potato masher or potato ricer until smooth and lump free. Stir in garlic paste. Add lemon juice and vinegar and stir in with the masher.
• Whisk in 1/2 cup olive oil in 3 or 4 additions. Add cayenne and more salt if needed. Pass dip through a mesh strainer into a bowl. Serve at room temperature, garnished with olive oil and oregano.

LEMON, CAPER & GARLIC WHITE-BEAN DIP

Steps:

• Drain and rinse beans well. In a food processor, combine all ingredients except parsley. Process on high until texture is very smooth and creamy. Pulse in parsley. Adjust ingredient amounts to suit your taste; this is a very forgiving recipe and amounts do not need to be exact. Place in covered bowl and chill for at least 2 hours. Serve with warm pita bread, pita chips and assorted vegetables cut to dipping size (carrots, bell peppers, onions, etc.).