Batter Fried Capers Recipes

FRIED CAPERS

Steps:

• 1. Line a plate with several layers of paper towels. 2. Pour evoo in a small sauté pan and place over medium heat until the oil reaches 350°F with a deep fry thermometer. 3. Fry capers in batches for 2 to 3 minutes, until they split and are crispy. Transfer crispy capers to prepared plate. Use them to garnish your favorite meat or veggie dishes like our Chicken Piccata. Store at room temperature, covered, for up to 3 days. Want recipes like this delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up now for Jamie Geller's Weekly Newsletter.

BEER BATTERED CODWICH SLIDERS

Steps:

• For the caper lemon tartar sauce: Mix the mayo, capers, relish, lemon juice, vinegar and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper, cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes marry the flavors.
• For the fennel slaw: Mix the red cabbage, parsley and fennel in a large bowl. Whisk the lemon juice and mustard in a small bowl; whisk in the oil until the dressing is smooth. Toss with the fennel mixture and season with salt and pepper. Slaw can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated up to 2 days.
• For the fish: Heat the oil to 375 degrees F in a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven or deep fryer.
• Whisk 2 cups flour, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Add the beer and egg and mix until combined.
• Sprinkle the fish with salt and pepper. Dredge the fish in the remaining 1/2 cup flour, shake off any excess, then dunk into the batter mixture, letting the excess drip off. Fry the fish in the hot oil until golden brown and crispy, 4 to 5 minutes.
• For the sandwich build: Place the hot, fried fish on the rolls. Then top with the slaw and slather the top bun in the tartar sauce. Garnish with a fennel frond. Grab with both hands and bite hard.

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).

CRISPY SQUID WITH CAPERS

Steps:

• Cut the squid into rings about ½cm thick. Tip the flour into a freezer bag and season well. Add the capers, then give everything a good shake to mix together. Tip the squid into the bag, then shake again until all the rings are well coated. Mix together the garlic and mayonnaise, then place in a serving bowl.
• Pour some oil into a large pan until it comes about 7cm up the sides, but the pan is no more than a third full. Place over a medium heat and let the oil warm up. To test that the oil is ready, place a small piece of bread in the pan - it should sizzle when it touches the oil.
• Remove a handful of squid from the flour and shake off any excess. Gently drop into the oil, then cook for about 3 mins until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on kitchen paper. Repeat with the remaining squid. Serve straight away with the mayonnaise and lemon wedges.

BATTER

Steps:

• Take a large mixing bowl and add the flour and ½ tsp fine salt. Whisk together to incorporate the salt. Add the water and whisk until the batter is completely smooth and the flour is fully combined.
• Take the oil and pour into a large, sturdy saucepan with high sides. Heat over a high heat until it reaches 200C. To fry your ingredients, dip them in the batter, allowing any excess to run off, and carefully place into the hot oil. Fry until the batter is a rich, golden brown and crisp. The fried ingredients will likely float on top of the oil when cooked, too. Remove from the oil using a slotted spoon and blot on kitchen towel before serving. Sprinkle with a little flaky sea salt to keep crisp. The batter does not keep well and is best made just before using.

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.

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.)