Capers In Vegan Diet: Creative Ways To Use This Condiment

Capers are the edible flower buds of the Flinders rose, or caper bush, and are often used in Mediterranean cuisine. They are small, tangy, and salty, and are typically pickled in brine or vinegar. They are a great addition to salads, pasta dishes, sauces, and dressings.

Capers are completely vegan and can be used in a variety of vegan dishes, such as pasta puttanesca, lemon caper pasta, and chicken piccata. They can be added whole or chopped finely and are commonly used to enhance the flavours of cooked pasta, salad dressings, and potato salads.

When cooking with capers, it is important to use them sparingly due to their strong taste. They can be rinsed to remove some of the salt or vinegar, which allows their true flavour to come through. Larger capers should be chopped before use and added towards the end of the cooking process to keep their shape and maintain their signature taste.

Capers as a seasoning for vegan pasta

Capers are a great seasoning for vegan pasta. They are the edible flowering buds of the Flinders rose, or caper bush, and are typically salted and pickled, giving them a distinct, sharp taste and pungent aroma. They are versatile and can be added whole or finely chopped.

When using capers, it is best to use them sparingly due to their strong taste. They are often sold in brine or salt solutions, so it is recommended to soak and rinse them before use to reduce the sodium content. If you are using larger capers, it is best to chop them before adding them to your dish.

Ingredients:

• 200g farfalle pasta (wholemeal or gluten-free)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• ½ red hot chilli, finely chopped, or ½ tsp sambal oelek
• ½ cup chopped tomatoes (tinned or fresh, optional)
• 15 sweet cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 small zucchini, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp capers (in salt, not vinegar), chopped
• 1 tbsp sultanas, finely chopped
• 8 Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
• Black pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp roasted hazelnuts, roughly chopped

Method:

• Boil a large pot of water and cook the pasta just short of al dente.
• Heat a heavy frying pan over medium-low heat and add the olive oil.
• Add the garlic and chilli and gently fry for a few minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
• Add the chopped tomatoes (if using) and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened.
• Add the cherry tomato halves and sauté gently until softened.
• Add the zucchini, capers, sultanas, and olive halves. Cook for another minute or so, just until the zucchini is no longer raw.
• Season with black pepper and salt, if needed.
• Mix in the cooked pasta and serve topped with the chopped roasted hazelnuts.

For a more complex sauce, you can also make a lemon butter sauce with capers. To make this sauce, melt some vegan butter in a hot pan and sauté shallots until soft. Add lemon zest, white wine, lemon juice, and non-dairy milk or cream. Finally, add the capers and mix in the cooked pasta.

Capers are a great way to add a burst of flavour to your vegan pasta dishes, and you can experiment with different recipes to find your preferred way of using them.

Capers in vegan salads

Capers are a great addition to vegan salads, adding a burst of salty, tangy, or briny flavour. They are the unripe, green flower buds of the caper bush, which is native to the Mediterranean region. They are typically pickled, giving them their distinct, sharp taste and pungent aroma.

When adding capers to salads, it is best to use them sparingly due to their strong taste. They can be added directly from the jar, or rinsed to remove some of the salt or vinegar, allowing their true flavour to come through. Blot them with a paper towel after rinsing, and chop larger capers before use.

Green Salad with Capers

This simple salad uses romaine lettuce, cucumbers, radishes, capers, and hemp seeds. The capers add a burst of briny, salty flavour to the fresh vegetables, and the hemp seeds provide a vegan crunch. The salad is dressed with a simple everyday salad dressing.

Lemon Caper Savoy Cabbage Salad

This seasonal salad is a great side dish for pasta or sandwiches. It uses raw savoy cabbage, red onion, lemon zest and juice, capers, olive oil, salt, and pepper. The raw savoy cabbage provides a satisfying crunch, and the lemon and capers add a tangy, briny flavour.

Caper and Tomato Salsa Salad

This salsa salad is made with cherry tomatoes, spring onions, dill, capers, lemon juice, and olive oil. It is served on a bed of lettuce with avocado, or as a side with grilled tofu. The capers add a tangy, briny taste to the fresh salsa.

Capers as a garnish for vegan dishes

Capers are a versatile and tasty addition to many vegan dishes. These edible flower buds are small but pack a punch when it comes to flavour and nutrition. They are commonly used as a garnish or condiment, adding a burst of salty, tangy flavour to a dish.

How to use capers as a garnish for vegan dishes

Capers are a great vegan alternative to anchovies or sardines, adding a similar salty, tangy flavour to your meal. They are often used as a garnish in vegan dishes, adding a burst of flavour and texture. Here are some tips on how to use capers as a garnish for vegan dishes:

• Salads: Capers can be added to a variety of salads, including pasta, chicken, and potato salads. They provide a tangy and salty contrast to the other ingredients and can be used whole or chopped finely.
• Dressings: Capers can be chopped finely and added to salad dressings, providing a burst of flavour. Try making a tahini caper salad dressing or a simple vinaigrette with olive oil, lemon juice, and capers.
• Main dishes: Capers can be used as a garnish for roasted vegetables or main dishes. They pair particularly well with rich, fatty dishes such as vegan buttered pasta, or roasted nuts.
• Pizza: Capers can be used as a pizza topping, adding a salty contrast to the cheese and dough.
• Vegan chicken piccata: Capers are a key ingredient in this classic Italian dish. They add a tangy, briny flavour to the "chicken" and can also be used as a garnish.
• Pasta Puttanesca: This flavourful pasta dish is another classic that uses capers. The capers add a burst of flavour and can be used as a garnish, along with fresh herbs such as basil.

Storing and preparing capers

Capers are typically stored in a jar with a brine solution of salt water or vinegar, or packed in salt. They should be stored in an airtight container and will last for several months. Before using, it is recommended to rinse the capers to remove some of the salt or vinegar, which will allow their true flavour to come through. Blot them dry with a paper towel, and then chop them before use if they are larger capers.

Capers in vegan sauces

Capers are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of vegan sauces. Here are some ideas and tips for incorporating capers into your vegan sauces:

Creamy Caper Sauce

For a creamy and tangy sauce, blend capers with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and fresh herbs. This sauce can be used as a marinade or dressing for grilled tofu, quinoa salad, or vegetable skewers. The capers will add a burst of flavour to the sauce, creating a unique and refreshing taste.

Lemon Caper Sauce

Lemon and capers are a classic combination that adds brightness to any dish. To make a simple lemon caper sauce, cook the capers with garlic and lemon slices in a skillet, then add cherry tomatoes and let the mixture simmer. Remove the lemon slices, then blend the mixture with cashew cream and fresh basil. This sauce is perfect for pasta and can be adjusted by adding vegetables or tofu.

Tahini Caper Salad Dressing

Tahini and capers create a creamy and nutty dressing with a tangy twist. Simply blend tahini, lemon juice, water, and capers until smooth, then drizzle over your favourite salad or use as a dip for crudites or pita chips.

Caper-Infused Hummus or Tapenade

For a more savoury option, combine capers with chickpeas, tahini, and roasted red peppers to make a delectable hummus or tapenade. This spread is perfect for appetizers or snacks and adds a punch of flavour to any dish.

Tips for Using Capers in Sauces

• Capers are available in different sizes, with smaller capers being more delicate in texture and flavour.
• Rinse the capers before using to remove excess salt or vinegar, which will allow their true flavour to shine through.
• Larger capers should be chopped before adding to sauces, while smaller capers can be added whole or finely chopped for a more delicate presentation.
• Add capers towards the end of the cooking process to maintain their shape and signature taste.

Capers in vegan dressings

Capers are a great addition to vegan dressings, adding a burst of salty, tangy flavour. They are the unopened flower buds of the caper bush, native to the Mediterranean region, and are typically pickled in vinegar or salt.

Vegan Caesar Dressing

A vegan take on the classic Caesar dressing, this dressing is creamy and ready in just 5 minutes. The capers in this recipe act as a substitute for anchovies, adding a salty, briny taste. You can make this with either a cashew or hummus base, and add dijon mustard, lemon juice, and vegan Worcestershire sauce for extra flavour.

Tahini Caper Salad Dressing

This dressing is a great way to add a burst of flavour to salads, roasted vegetables, or even pasta salad. It is made with tahini, lemon juice, garlic, capers and caper brine, dijon mustard, and water to thin the dressing.

Miso Caper Dressing

Capers are commonly used in Mediterranean dishes, but they can also be combined with miso paste to make a variety of dishes, including a tasty salad dressing.

Frequently asked questions