Mustapha's Moroccan Non-Pareil Capers in Brine Reviews
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Mustapha's Moroccan Non-Pareil Capers in Brine Feature
- CAPERS THE FLOWER BUD OF A MEDITERRANEAN SHRUB THAT GROWS WILD AT THE FOOT OF THE ATLAS MOUNTAINS
- NON-PAREIL CAPERS ARE CURED IN A SALT AND WATER BRINE WITH JUST A SPLASH OF VINEGAR
- NON-PAREIL CAPERS ARE THE MOST HIGHLY PRIZED DUE TO THEIR INTENSE FLAVOR
- PERFECT FOR CHOPPING IN TAPENADES, DEEP FRIED AND SERVED OVER SALADS
- USE IN GIFT BASKET OR HOUSE WARMING GIFT
Capers, the flower bud of a Mediterranean shrub are a very versatile ingredient, condiment, flavor, and tradition. Their flavor, when cured in brine, tends to be reminiscent of a cornichon or gherkin. They are vibrant, aromatic with just the right balance of salt. The most prized capers are the tiny non-pareil, 'without peer' because of their intense flavor. Caper flower buds grow quickly, and they are small enough to be classified this size for only a very short time. Varieties are selected for flavor and for the roundness and firmness of the buds.
Most capers are packed in vinegar, and this imparts a "pickled" flavor to them - as a result, the tangy finish tends to dominate the flavor of the aromatic caper. Mustapha cures his capers in salt brine, and then packs them in saltwater with just a tiny amount of vinegar. The result is a deep aromatic, salty flavor with a hint of a tang on the finish. These brined capers are perfect for use with rich foods such as salmon or in rich sauces - if they are too salty for your palate you may soak them in cold water.
The caper bush is a spiny, straggling vine-like shrub that grows well in nutrient poor, gravelly soils, and is often found growing in crevices between rocks. Capers are the flower buds from this plant. A freshly picked caper is a bland little thing. That fabulously vibrant, piquant flavor comes from the curing process. Their salty, aromatic flavor makes them an important ingredient to sauces like tartar, ravigote and rèmoulade and most tapenade recipes. There is no better condiment for smoked or cured salmon.
Caper bushes grow wild around the Mediterranean, flourishing in the same climates as olives, and in fact, we have come to recognize the flavor of a caper as classic Mediterranean. They are cultivated and collected in their natural range - in Spain, the south of France, Italy, Dalmatia, Greece, Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, and especially Morocco.
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Aug 24, 2011 12:17:03
