Kids And Wine Fondue: Is It Safe?

Fondue is a fun and tasty dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. However, the question of whether it is suitable for children arises due to the presence of wine in traditional fondue recipes. While some believe that cooking eliminates alcohol content, others argue that traces of alcohol may remain, depending on the cooking method and duration. Ultimately, the decision rests with parents or caregivers, who should consider their own values and comfort levels when deciding whether to serve their children fondue made with wine.

Is it safe for children to eat food cooked with wine?

Alcohol is often used in cooking to enhance the flavour of a dish. Wine, in particular, is used in sauces, stews, and marinades, as well as to deglaze a pan. However, when it comes to cooking for children, many parents are unsure if it is safe to include alcohol in their dishes.

The answer is: it depends. Cooking can eliminate alcohol content from wine, but the effectiveness varies depending on the cooking method and preparation. Stirring wine into a hot liquid and removing it from the heat will leave no alcohol content. However, baking a dish with wine for 25 minutes without stirring will still leave 35-40% of the alcohol content. The longer a dish is cooked, the more alcohol will evaporate.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a dish that contains wine must be cooked, simmered, or boiled for more than 2 and a half hours to completely remove the alcohol. Therefore, only give children dishes that have been cooked for this duration to ensure the alcohol has evaporated. Use extra caution with younger children, toddlers, and infants.

Additionally, any recipes that call for adding wine without heating it are not suitable for children. Desserts like bananas foster, which are flambéed and contain wine, are also inappropriate.

If you want to be 100% sure that your children are not consuming any alcohol, the only way is to avoid cooking with alcohol altogether. There are several substitutes you can use instead, such as grape or cranberry juice for red wine, and apple or white grape juice for white wine. You can also replace wine with vinegar, lemon juice, stock, or water with herbs.

How much alcohol is left in fondue after cooking?

Alcohol is often included in fondue recipes to cut some of the protein chains, resulting in a dippable fondue that is not stringy. Alcohol is also added to complement the other flavours in the fondue. However, alcohol is not necessary in fondue, and there are many fondue recipes that do not include it.

Alcohol begins to evaporate at around 80°C, and it takes almost 3 hours for it to completely cook off. Therefore, the amount of alcohol left in fondue depends on how long it is cooked for. One source states that at just 15 minutes of cooking, which is closer to the cooking time of fondue, about 40-50% of the alcohol still remains in the dish. Another source states that if the fondue is cooked for an hour, 9% of the alcohol will remain. However, it is unlikely that fondue gets as hot as 80°C, so the amount of alcohol remaining may be higher.

To reduce the amount of alcohol in fondue, it can be cooked for longer, or the amount of alcohol in the recipe can be reduced. For example, if you are expecting hungry guests, you can double the amount of cheese but use less than double the amount of wine. This is because the alcohol needs to evaporate from the open fondue pot, and a larger amount of fondue mixture will mean that more wine remains in the cheese, affecting the taste.

What are some alternatives to wine in fondue?

There are several alternatives to wine that can be used when making fondue. Some people opt for non-alcoholic drinks, such as sparkling juice, herbal tea, or hot chocolate. Others choose to replace the wine with a different liquid base, such as stock, milk, or a combination of the two. Lemon juice or vinegar can be added to replicate the anti-curdling properties of wine.

Some people choose to omit the wine entirely and instead toss the grated cheese with cornflour (cornstarch) before adding it to the fondue pot. This method, however, may result in a less stable fondue, so it is important to heat the mixture gently to reduce the risk of curdling. Using a mix of harder cheeses, such as Gruyere, and omitting soft cheeses can also help improve the stability of the fondue.

Additionally, some people choose to replace the wine with non-alcoholic beer or dry non-alcoholic white wine, which can provide similar flavour and anti-curdling properties to traditional wine.

What are some foods that can be dipped in fondue?

Fondue is a blend of melted cheese and wine in which food is dipped. It is often served with bread, but there are many other foods that can be dipped in fondue. Here are some ideas:

Savoury Foods

• Chicken sausages
• Steamed broccoli and other vegetables (like carrots, cauliflower, and potatoes)
• Lightly sauteed mushrooms
• Apples
• Meatballs
• Steamed potatoes
• Dumplings
• Chopped raw vegetables
• Cubed pieces of meat
• Seafood
• Tortilla chips
• Falafel
• Crackers
• Pita bread

Sweet Foods

• Marshmallows
• Fruits (like pineapple sticks)
• Ice cream cone pieces
• Rice crispy treats
• Doughnuts
• Profiteroles
• Cookies
• Cinnamon roll twists
• Pretzel bites
• Chocolate

Fondue is a fun and interactive way to enjoy food, and it can be a great way to get kids excited about trying new things. It is also a good option for those who are gluten-free or have other dietary restrictions, as there are many gluten-free dippers that can be used.

What are some kid-friendly fondue recipes?

Fondue is a fun and interactive meal that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Here are some kid-friendly fondue recipes that are sure to be a hit with the little ones:

Classic Cheese Fondue:

This recipe is a family favourite and is super easy to make. It uses a combination of Gruyere and Swiss cheese, cornstarch, chicken broth, lemon juice, garlic, and pepper. The key to getting a smooth and creamy texture is to add the cheese gradually and stir constantly in an S-shaped motion. This fondue goes well with a variety of dippers like steamed broccoli, carrots, apples, chicken sausages, bread, and lightly sauteed mushrooms.

Gooey, Creamy Cheese Fondue:

This fondue has a rich and nutty flavour with a slight tang. It uses Gouda, Gruyere, cornstarch, chicken broth, garlic, lemon juice, dry mustard, and ground nutmeg. Similar to the previous recipe, grate the cheeses and toss them with cornstarch. Heat the broth, lemon juice, and garlic, then gradually add the cheese while whisking until smooth. This fondue is best served with a variety of dippers like bread cubes, steamed vegetables, sliced apples, and more.

Kid-Friendly Fondue:

This recipe uses Monterey Jack cheese, flour, milk, garlic, and a variety of dippers. Heat the milk and garlic in a saucepan, then toss the cheese with flour and gradually whisk it into the milk until smooth. Serve with dippers like boiled potatoes, cooked pasta, bread cubes, steamed vegetables, and sliced apples.

Tips for the Perfect Fondue:

• Use good quality, freshly grated cheese for the best results.
• Go for creamy, buttery cheeses like Gruyere, Gouda, Fontina, Cheddar, Havarti, Muenster, Colby, or Monterey Jack.
• Add the cheese gradually and stir constantly to ensure a smooth and creamy texture.
• Don't use pre-shredded cheese as it has a different consistency and may affect the final product.
• If your fondue is too thick, add a bit more liquid (broth or wine) to thin it out.
• Use a variety of colourful dippers to make it more fun and appealing to kids.

Frequently asked questions