Cheese Fondue: Adding Milk, Good Or Bad?

Fondue is a fun and interactive way to enjoy a meal with friends and family. It involves dipping pieces of food into a pot of hot cheese, oil, chocolate, or broth. While there are several types of fondue, cheese fondue is traditionally made by melting Swiss cheese such as Gruyere with wine. However, some recipes substitute wine with milk or broth. This substitution is especially useful for those who do not enjoy the taste of wine or want a non-alcoholic option.

When making cheese fondue with milk, it is essential to start with a bechamel sauce. This involves melting butter and whisking in flour before adding milk, seasonings, and finally, the shredded cheese. The milk base results in a creamy and thick fondue that pairs well with various dippers, including bread, vegetables, and meat.

Milk and cheese fondue recipes

Cheese fondue is a delightful dish to share with friends and family, and it's surprisingly easy to make. You can use a fondue pot or a regular saucepan on the stove, and the key to success is to keep the heat low to avoid scorching the cheese. Here are some mouth-watering milk and cheese fondue recipes to try:

Basic Cheese Fondue:

• Ingredients: 3 tablespoons of flour, 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoons of ground dry mustard, 1 clove of garlic (peeled and crushed), and 6 cups of shredded cheddar cheese.
• Instructions: Mix milk, flour, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and garlic in a saucepan over low heat until almost boiling. Gradually add the cheese, stirring continuously until melted. Keep the fondue warm in a fondue dish.

Swiss and Cheddar Cheese Fondue:

• Ingredients: 1 cup each of shredded cheddar and Swiss cheese, butter, cornstarch, salt, and milk.
• Dippers: French bread, broccoli, green beans, potatoes, ham, apples, and other veggies.
• Instructions: Melt butter over low heat, add cornstarch and stir. Mix in salt, then add milk and stir continuously over medium heat until boiling. Turn down the heat, add cheese, and stir until melted. Serve with your favourite dippers!

Easy Cheese Fondue:

• Ingredients: 1 cup each of shredded cheddar and Swiss cheese, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, 2 tablespoons of cold water, 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt, 1 teaspoon of freshly ground nutmeg, and milk.
• Dippers: Oat crackers, apples, boiled potatoes, broccoli, bell peppers, and more.
• Instructions: Place milk and nutmeg in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk cornstarch with water and add to the saucepan, stirring until thickened. Add the shredded cheeses and stir until melted. Season with salt, then transfer to a bowl and serve with dippers.

Traditional Cheese Fondue:

• Ingredients: 1 cup of dry white wine, 2 tablespoons of flour (or cornstarch), 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg, 1/2 pound each of shredded Swiss and Gruyère cheese.
• Dippers: French bread, meat, potatoes, apples, broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, crackers, chips, or pretzels.
• Instructions: Bring wine to a simmer in a fondue pot, add flour and nutmeg, then mix in the cheeses. Season with nutmeg and salt. If the fondue gets too thick, add a little more wine.

Beer Cheese Fondue:

For a fun twist, try substituting beer for milk in your cheese fondue. This variation pairs particularly well with sharp cheddar cheese. Simply follow your favourite milk-based cheese fondue recipe, replacing the milk with an equal amount of beer.

The best cheeses for fondue

Fontina

Fontina is a buttery, creamy cheese that melts smoothly, making it an excellent choice for fondue. It has a lush and complex flavour, especially when combined with Gruyère and gouda.

Gruyère

Gruyère is a classic choice for fondue as it melts smoothly and has a creamy, buttery texture. It is a traditional Swiss cheese that is commonly used in fondue recipes.

Gouda

Gouda is another good option for fondue as it has a similar texture to Gruyère and Fontina. It is a good choice for those who want a more mild and nutty flavour.

Emmental

Emmental is a variety of Swiss cheese that is commonly used in fondue. It has a slightly sweet and nutty flavour and melts smoothly, making it a great addition to any fondue recipe.

Jarlsberg

Jarlsberg is a less expensive alternative to Emmental that has a similar flavour and texture. It is a good choice for those who want to make a large batch of fondue without breaking the bank.

Cheddar

Cheddar fondue is a less traditional option but can be a delicious choice, especially when combined with a more classic cheese like Gruyère. Sharp cheddar is also a good choice for beer cheese fondue.

Other types of cheese that can be used for fondue include Comté, raclette, vacherin, blue cheese, Beaufort, Appenzeller, Brie, Tête de Moine, and Swiss Knight Cheese.

How to make cheese fondue

Cheese fondue is a fun and interactive meal that's perfect for sharing with friends and family. It's also a great way to get your daily dose of dairy! Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make this delicious and indulgent dish.

Ingredients:

First, gather your ingredients. For a basic cheese fondue, you'll need:

• Milk
• Flour
• Cheese (Cheddar, Swiss, or a combination of both)
• Seasonings (garlic, mustard, nutmeg, salt, and/or pepper)
• Dippers (bread, vegetables, meat, etc.)

Thickening the Milk:

In a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the milk with your desired seasonings. To thicken the milk, create a slurry by whisking cornstarch or flour with a small amount of water until smooth, then pour it into the saucepan. Stir continuously and simmer over low heat until the mixture thickens, which should take around 4-5 minutes or about 7 minutes.

Adding the Cheese:

Once the milk mixture has thickened, it's time to add the cheese! Gradually add shredded or grated cheese to the saucepan, stirring continuously until it's completely melted and combined. For a smoother fondue, it's recommended to grate your own cheese as pre-shredded cheese may not melt as well.

Seasoning and Serving:

Finally, season the fondue with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer the fondue to a bowl or a fondue pot to keep it warm. Serve with your favorite dippers and enjoy!

Tips and Variations:

• Always use soft, easy-to-melt cheeses with a high-fat content for the best flavor and texture.
• For a traditional fondue, substitute milk with wine, or use beer for a beer cheese fondue.
• If you want to add a tangy sharpness to your fondue, try adding a few teaspoons of grainy mustard or a few drops of lemon juice or hot sauce.
• To reheat any leftovers, simply add a small amount of milk and heat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
• If you don't have a fondue pot, you can make this dish on the stovetop in a saucepan.

What to serve with cheese fondue

Cheese fondue is a delightful dish, perfect for sharing with friends and family. It's a simple concept: a pot of melted cheese, often with wine, spices, and other flavourings, into which you dip an array of tasty treats. But what are the best things to serve with this delicious dish?

Bread

Bread is a classic choice to serve with cheese fondue, and for good reason. The warm, creamy cheese clings to a variety of breads, from French baguettes, sourdough, and breadsticks to bagels, croutons, and pretzels. Toasting your bread of choice beforehand will help it stand up to the cheese, ensuring it doesn't fall apart in the fondue pot.

Meat

Meats are a great way to add some protein to your cheese fondue feast. Ham, meatballs, and sausage are all popular choices. Authentic sweet Italian sausage goes especially well with the savoury cheese, as does chorizo. If you're feeling fancy, try some seafood, like shrimp, crab, or lobster. Just be sure to lightly steam any seafood before dipping to avoid overcooking.

Vegetables

Vegetables provide a nice bit of freshness and nutrition to balance out the richness of the cheese. Broccoli is a popular choice, and can be served raw or steamed. Peppers, especially bell peppers, also go well with cheese fondue. Try slicing them into thin, long strips to make dipping easier. Other veggie options include asparagus, carrots, cauliflower, celery, and zucchini.

Fruit

While it may seem like an unusual pairing, fruit can be a delightful addition to your cheese fondue spread. Apples are a particularly good match, providing a crunchy, crisp contrast to the melted cheese. Pears, pineapple, and grapes are also worth trying, as are dried fruits like apricots and figs.

Fondue sets and pots

Fondue pots come in various sizes, from small, single-serving mugs to larger pots that can serve up to eight people. The size you choose will depend on the number of people you plan to serve. Some fondue sets also offer additional features such as temperature control, detachable serving trays, and colour-coded forks.

• Cuisinart 13-Piece Cast Iron Fondue Set, Red (4.5/5 stars)
• Swissmar KF-66517 Lugano 2-Quart Cast Iron Cheese Fondue Set, 9-Piece, Cherry Red (4.7/5 stars)
• Boska Cheese Fondue Party Set - Microwave-Safe Ceramic Hot Pot for up to 4 Persons (4.4/5 stars)
• Nostalgia 6-Cup Electric Fondue Pot Set for Cheese & Chocolate with Temperature Control and 6 Color-Coded Forks (4.5/5 stars)
• Artestia Cast Iron Fondue Pot Set for Chocolate, Cheese, and Meat with 6 Fondue Forks for up to 6 Persons (4.6/5 stars)

Frequently asked questions