Fried Capers Little Flowers Recipes

FRIED CAPERS (LITTLE FLOWERS)

Steps:

• Heat oil to 365-75* F in a medium saucepan.
• If you haven't a thermometer, this is hot but definitely not smoking.
• Lower the capers, (I use a Chinese deep frying wire utensil) a few at a time, into the oil and fry until they suddenly pop open and look like little flower buds.
• Let them cook for a couple of seconds, remove, and drain on paper towels.
• Salt, sparingly, since they are salty already.
• Serve.

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-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).