You Should Really Be Microwave-Frying Your Capers

While salty, savory capers are considered by some to be an absolute must-have for topping a bagel or adding to a salad for an extra punch of flavor, this unique ingredient isn't just a delicious addition to your meal when taken straight from the jar. You can also fry capers for even more flavor and added texture.

Unfortunately, frying capers — just like frying anything, really — can be a messy, stressful process. Not only do you have to heat up the cooking oil until it's just the right temperature, but you also have to make sure you're using the right amount of oil in the right size pan, so the oil is the correct depth. You also have to watch out for oil splatters, which can be quite hazardous if you're pouring capers straight from the jar into the hot oil. It's also important to be oh-so-careful not to let the capers overcook and burn. Really, it's a whole big process — which is exactly why you should microwave-fry your capers instead of going the stovetop route instead. 

You may have never tried to fry anything in your microwave before, but it's pretty easy. In fact, you may have already witnessed your microwave's frying potential in action if you've ever microwave-cooked some bacon. However, going beyond bacon, a microwave can — with the right touch — fry many small or thin ingredients, like capers.

Before frying, rinse and dry your capers. Then, to fry them, you'll want to combine capers and olive oil in a microwave-safe bowl and heat them up until the capers have shriveled up a bit and turned a darker shade of green. This should only take about five minutes. Once finished, scoop them out of the oil and let them rest on a paper towel, at which point they'll continue to crisp. This method is a simple, easy solution that takes mere minutes and removes all the stress of stovetop frying. You can use fried capers anywhere you might normally use them. They're also perfect for adding extra crunch in places where you might not normally think to use capers, such as in dishes where the extra texture and salinity might be desirable. For example, atop soft scrambled eggs or a creamy soup. But as much as you'll love microwave-fried capers, think twice before you add them to everything; capers are packed with sodium.