Derived from the Italian verb for "to pound, to crush," pesto is a simple preparation of fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, cheese, and pine nuts that’s used to enhance a wide range of dishes. One of the best things about pesto is the interchangeability of its ingredients, and there’s one in particular endorsed by Rachael Ray that’s likely already sitting in your fridge.

According to the Rachael Ray Show website, Ray incorporates capers in her nut-free pesto recipes to "add a little extra salt or texture." Actually the unopened flower buds of the caper plant, capers have a briny, bitter, floral flavor, which makes them the perfect nut-free choice for giving your pesto a little more texture.

You may want to specifically seek Italian capers because American capers are basically pickles, but the traditional ones are packed dry in sea salt. This way, you'll have that deep, savory caper essence you can add to dishes like pasta, pizza, bread, and soups.