Canned Cheese For Fondue: A Tasty Time-Saver?

Fondue is a fun and indulgent dish that's perfect for sharing with friends and family. It's traditionally made by melting cheese and mixing it with wine, then dipping bread, vegetables, or meat into the mixture. While there are many types of cheese that can be used to make fondue, such as Gruyère, Swiss, Gouda, fontina, and Emmental, it's important to use good-quality cheese to ensure a smooth and creamy fondue. So, can you use canned cheese for fondue?

What are the best cheeses for fondue?

The best cheeses for fondue are those that are good quality, buttery, creamy, and melt smoothly. The classic Swiss fondue recipe calls for a blend of traditional, firm, mountain-style cheeses such as Gruyere, Swiss cheese, and gouda. However, other types of cheese can also be used to make fondue, such as fontina, Emmental, raclette, vacherin, cheddar, and young gouda.

For a classic Swiss fondue, a mix of Gruyere, Swiss cheese, and gouda will result in a rich and indulgent fondue with a complex flavour profile. The addition of cornstarch to the cheese mixture will help to thicken the fondue and prevent the cheese from clumping.

If you are feeling adventurous, you can experiment with different combinations of cheeses, such as cheddar and blue cheese, or manchego and Monterey jack. With the right technique and a good-quality cheese, almost any type of cheese can be turned into fondue.

Tips for Making Fondue:

• Grate the cheese instead of chopping it for quicker melting and a smoother fondue.
• Add the cheese to the fondue pot slowly and stir constantly to ensure a smooth and lump-free fondue.
• Use a dry, high-acid white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, or an unoaked Chardonnay, to enhance the flavour of the fondue.
• For a beer cheese fondue, swap the wine for your favourite beer, especially if using cheddar cheese.
• To make the fondue without alcohol, substitute the wine with unsalted chicken or vegetable stock.

What are the best dippers for fondue?

When it comes to choosing dippers for fondue, there are many options to choose from. Here are some of the best options to elevate your fondue experience:

Bread

Bread is a classic and popular choice for dipping in fondue. Go for a crusty French bread or baguette, cut into 1-inch cubes for easy skewering. You can also try different types of bread such as sourdough, rye, pumpernickel, brioche, whole wheat, olive bread, focaccia, ciabatta, naan, or challah. Toasting your bread will help it hold up better when dipped in the fondue.

Vegetables

A variety of vegetables can be dipped in fondue, including asparagus, zucchini, artichoke hearts, mini sweet peppers, carrots, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, tomatoes, broccoli, mushrooms, green beans, baby potatoes, fingerling potatoes, and squash. You can serve them raw, roasted, pickled, or steamed, depending on your preference.

Fruit

While it may not be the first thing that comes to mind, certain fruits pair well with cheese fondue. Try sliced apples, especially tart varieties like Granny Smith, cut into cubes for easier dipping. Pears and grapes can also be a tasty addition to your fondue spread.

Meat

Fully cooked bite-sized pieces of meat can be a delicious addition to your fondue. Options include marinated sirloin, filet mignon, herb-roasted chicken breast, prime rib, mini meatballs, beef jerky, miniature smoked sausages, duck breast, ham chunks, salami, chorizo, pepperoni, and soppressata. For seafood lovers, steamed lobster or crab, cooked shrimp, salmon, lobster tail, crab legs, and Ahi tuna can be excellent choices.

Other Options

Some other unique dippers you can try include crackers or chips (such as wheat crackers, pita chips, potato chips, or tortilla chips), pretzels, bacon, pickles, pasta (especially ravioli), and roasted jalapeño peppers.

How do you make fondue?

Fondue is a fun, communal dish that's perfect for sharing with friends and family. It's also surprisingly easy to make! Here's a step-by-step guide to help you create the perfect fondue.

Ingredients

Firstly, gather your ingredients. For a classic Swiss fondue, you'll need:

• Good-quality cheese – the best options are Gruyère, Swiss cheese (such as Emmentaler), Raclette, Fontina, Gouda, Appenzeller, Comté, or Vacherin.
• Cornstarch or flour – this helps thicken the fondue and prevents the cheese from clumping.
• Dry white wine – such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, or an unoaked Chardonnay. The acid in the wine will keep your fondue smooth.
• Lemon juice – for a tangy flavour.
• Bread – a French baguette or sourdough, cut into cubes.
• Other dippers – you can use apples, potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, carrots, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, crackers, chips, pretzels, or even bacon!

Method

Now, let's get cooking!

• Grate your chosen cheese. This will ensure quicker melting and a smoother fondue.
• Toss the grated cheese with cornstarch or flour. Make sure it's thoroughly combined to avoid any lumps.
• In a stove-safe fondue pot or large saucepan, bring your wine, garlic (if using), and lemon juice to a simmer over medium-low heat.
• Slowly add the cheese to the simmering liquid, stirring well between each addition. Take your time with this step to ensure a smooth fondue.
• Once all the cheese has melted and the mixture is smooth, stir in any additional ingredients, such as brandy, mustard, or nutmeg.
• Arrange your chosen dippers on a platter and pour the fondue into a fondue pot if needed.
• Serve with fondue forks or wooden skewers and enjoy!

Tips

• If your fondue becomes too thick, simply add a little more wine to thin it out.
• If you want to make a beer cheese fondue, swap the wine for your favourite beer. This goes especially well with cheddar cheese.
• For a non-alcoholic version, replace the wine with chicken or vegetable stock.
• To make your fondue extra special, rub the inside of your pot with a clove of garlic before adding the other ingredients.
• Keep stirring your fondue constantly to ensure a smooth and creamy texture.
• If you have any leftovers, fondue can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.

What is the history of fondue?

Fondue, derived from the French verb "fondre", meaning "to melt", originated in 18th-century Switzerland. It was a means for farm families to stretch their limited resources during the winter months. With some remaining cheese, stale bread, and wine, families could gather around the hearth to enjoy a warm meal. The first written recipes for fondue appear in 18th-century cookbooks published in France and Belgium, which call for Gruyère, a Swiss cheese. Fondue was popularized as a Swiss national dish in the 1930s by the Swiss Cheese Union, as a way to increase cheese consumption in Switzerland. After World War II, the Swiss Cheese Union resumed its campaign, promoting fondue as a symbol of Swiss unity and national identity. Fondue was introduced to America in 1964 at the New York World's Fair, and it became popular in the US in the 1960s and 1970s.

Fondue is typically made with a blend of Swiss cheeses, such as Emmental and Gruyère, and wine, heated in a ceramic pot. It is served communally, with diners dipping chunks of bread into the melted cheese using long-stemmed forks. The traditional Swiss fondue pot is called a "caquelon". The crusty slab of cheese that forms at the bottom of the pot during the course of the meal is called "le religieuse" and is considered a delicacy.

What are the best fondue sets?

There are many fondue sets available on the market, and the best one for you will depend on your needs and preferences. Here is a list of some of the best fondue sets:

Cuisinart Electric Fondue Pot:

This electric fondue pot is a top-rated option that offers simple setup, accurate temperature control, and easy cleanup. It has eight heat settings, a non-stick insert, and colour-coded forks. It is priced at $80.

Nostalgia 1.5-Quart Stainless Steel Electric Fondue Pot:

This fondue pot is a great budget option, priced at $30. It has 11 heat settings and good performance, but the pot is a bit unstable and heats unevenly.

All-Clad Cast Aluminum Fondue Pot:

This fondue pot is a splurge option, priced at $200. It is versatile and has a stylish design. It can be used with a candle or chafing fuel, and it includes colour-coded forks.

Swissmar Lugano 9-Piece Cheese Fondue Set:

This fondue set is in the traditional Swiss style and has excellent heat retention. It includes a gel fuel burner, a wrought-iron base, and six forks. It is priced at $120.

Cuisinart 13-Piece Cast Iron Fondue Set:

This cast iron fondue set is a sturdy and versatile option, and it is reasonably priced at $55. It includes six forks and a steel stand.

Dash Fondue Maker:

This fondue maker is a great option for parties, priced at $60. It has a large capacity and eight included forks. It also has simple temperature settings.

These are just a few of the many fondue sets available. Each has its own unique features and advantages, so be sure to choose the one that best suits your needs and budget.

Frequently asked questions