Cheese Fondue: A Kid-Friendly Treat?

Cheese fondue is a fun and tasty way to get kids to eat their veggies. While traditional recipes use wine, fondue can be made without alcohol, making it kid-friendly. The key to a good fondue is to use good-quality cheese and to grate it yourself. You can also experiment with different types of cheese to find the right flavour for your kids' palates.

Cheese fondue can be a delicious way to introduce new foods to kids

Fondue is a great way to make mealtimes more enjoyable for kids. It's interactive, and kids love rolling their favourite vegetables in melted cheese and dipping them into a delicious, cheesy sauce. It's also a fantastic way to introduce new foods to picky eaters in a relaxed and casual setting.

There are plenty of kid-friendly cheese fondue recipes to choose from, and you can experiment with different ingredients to find the perfect taste for your little ones. For example, you can use milder cheeses such as soft and mild dill havarti or gouda, or try a combination of cheeses like gruyere and swiss cheese.

You can also get creative with dippers. In addition to vegetables, you can offer bread, apples, chicken sausages, and more. And if you don't have a fondue set, don't worry! You can easily make fondue with a saucepan or a mini-crockpot.

So, if you're looking for a fun and delicious way to introduce new foods to your kids, cheese fondue is definitely worth trying. It's a great way to make mealtimes more enjoyable and interactive for everyone.

It's easy to prepare and experiment with different ingredients

Cheese fondue is easy to prepare and you can experiment with different ingredients to change the taste. The basic ingredients are cheese, cornstarch, lemon juice, and garlic. You can use a variety of cheeses, such as Swiss cheese, Gruyere, Gouda, Fontina, Cheddar, Havarti, Muenster, Colby, and Monterey Jack. You can also add chicken broth or dry white wine to the fondue, depending on your preference.

To make the fondue, simply grate the cheese, mix it with cornstarch, and refrigerate the mix. In a separate pot, heat the lemon juice, chicken broth or wine, and garlic until it simmers. Then, gradually add the cheese mixture to the pot, stirring constantly until the cheese is completely melted. You can also add spices such as mustard, nutmeg, or black pepper to taste.

Once the fondue is ready, you can serve it with a variety of dippers such as vegetables (broccoli, baby corn, carrots, cauliflower, celery, etc.), bread, apples, chicken sausages, or meatballs. Get creative and experiment with different ingredients to find your perfect fondue combination!

It's a great way to get kids to eat their veggies

Cheese fondue is a fun and interactive way to get kids excited about eating their veggies. The process of dipping and dunking transforms mealtime into a playful experience, making it easier to introduce new foods and expand their palates. Here's why cheese fondue is a fantastic strategy to encourage veggie consumption among kids:

It Makes Vegetables More Appealing

The idea of coating vegetables in a warm, gooey, and cheesy sauce instantly elevates their appeal. By presenting veggies as dippers for fondue, you make them seem more like a treat than a chore. This simple twist can motivate kids to try vegetables they might otherwise hesitate to eat.

It Encourages Experimentation

Fondue provides an opportunity for kids to explore different types of vegetables in a low-stakes setting. Offer a colourful variety of veggies for dipping, such as broccoli, baby corn, carrots, cauliflower, and more. The more options you provide, the more likely they are to find something they enjoy.

It's a Social and Interactive Experience

Fondue is inherently a social and interactive meal. It encourages conversation and engagement as everyone gathers around the pot, choosing their favourite dippers and savouring each bite. This communal aspect of fondue makes mealtime more enjoyable and may even spark an interest in trying new foods.

It's Customisable

One of the best things about fondue is that it's easily customisable to suit different taste preferences. If your kids are picky eaters, opt for milder cheeses like soft dill havarti or gouda. You can also involve them in the preparation process, letting them help with rinsing veggies or stirring the fondue. This fosters a sense of ownership and makes them more inclined to eat what they've helped create.

It's a Fun Way to Get Nutritious Veggies

Fondue isn't just about getting kids to eat their veggies; it's about getting them to eat nutritious veggies without a fuss. By pairing vegetables with cheese fondue, you're providing a delicious combination of vitamins, minerals, and protein. For example, broccoli becomes an enjoyable way to get their daily dose of vitamins C and K, while baby corn adds a crunchy texture along with fibre and antioxidants.

So, the next time you want to boost your kids' veggie intake, consider making cheese fondue a part of your mealtime routine. It's a fun, tasty, and interactive way to encourage healthier eating habits without sacrificing flavour or enjoyment.

You can make it in a saucepan or mini-crockpot if you don't have a fondue set

If you don't have a fondue set, you can easily make cheese fondue in a saucepan or mini-crockpot. The key is to keep the temperature low and add the cheese gradually to ensure a smooth, creamy texture.

Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Cheese

Start by grating your chosen cheese—a blend of Gruyère, Swiss, and/or Gouda is traditional, but you can also use Fontina, Cheddar, or a combination of your favourites. It's important to grate the cheese yourself instead of using pre-shredded cheese, as this will ensure a smoother fondue. Once grated, toss the cheese with cornstarch or flour to coat it thoroughly. This step helps thicken the fondue and prevents the cheese from clumping.

Step 2: Prepare the Liquid

In a saucepan or mini-crockpot, heat your chosen liquid—traditionally, dry white wine is used, but you can also use chicken broth for a kid-friendly version. Add some minced garlic and a squeeze of lemon juice to enhance the flavour. Heat the liquid over a low setting, just until bubbles start to rise to the surface—do not let it boil.

Step 3: Add the Cheese

Now it's time to add the cheese to the simmering liquid. Do this gradually, about half a cup at a time, stirring constantly with a wire whisk or a fork. It's important to add the cheese slowly and stir constantly to ensure a smooth fondue. Once all the cheese has been added and melted, you can stir in some brandy, kirsch, or dry sherry for an extra kick of flavour.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer the fondue to a heatproof serving dish or mini-crockpot to keep it warm. Spear your chosen dippers—bread, apples, vegetables, or anything you like—with fondue forks or skewers and swirl them in the fondue, stirring as you go. If the fondue starts to thicken, simply stir in a little more warm wine or broth to adjust the consistency.

Tips for Success:

• Keep the temperature low—cheese doesn't need high heat to melt, and a low temperature will help you control the consistency of your fondue.
• Wine or an acidic ingredient like lemon juice is important to keep the fondue smooth and creamy by preventing the cheese from clumping or breaking.
• Take your time and add the cheese gradually, stirring constantly. This will ensure a smooth, lump-free fondue.
• If you're making this fondue for kids, opt for chicken broth instead of wine, and leave out any additional alcohol like brandy or kirsch.
• Get creative with your dippers! While crusty bread is traditional, you can also offer apples, pears, blanched vegetables, or anything you think would taste delicious smothered in cheese.

It's a fun, family-friendly meal that can be served with a variety of dippers

Cheese fondue is a fun, family-friendly meal that can be served with a variety of dippers. It's a great way to get kids to eat their veggies and introduce them to new cheeses and foods.

Fondue is an interactive meal that can bring families together and create lasting memories. It's a fun way to get kids involved in the kitchen, with younger children rinsing veggies or peeling shrimp, and older children slicing meat and stirring the fondue.

The best part about fondue is that it can be made with a variety of cheeses and dippers, catering to different tastes and preferences. For the fondue itself, traditional recipes often include stronger cheeses such as Emmentaler or Gruyère. However, if kids have pickier palates, a milder cheese like Havarti or Gouda can be used to make the fondue.

When it comes to dippers, the options are endless! Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Vegetables: Broccoli, baby corn, carrots, cauliflower, celery, sweet peppers, mushrooms
• Fruits: Apples, pears
• Bread: Multigrain bread, rustic crusty bread, bread cubes
• Meat: Chicken sausages, meatballs, shrimp
• Others: Tortilla chips, pita bread, potatoes

So, go ahead and plan a fondue night for your family! It's a fun, interactive, and delicious way to enjoy a meal together.

Frequently asked questions