Fondue And Biscuits: A Tasty Treat Or A Mess?

Fondue is a dish that originated in Switzerland and gained popularity in the US in the 1960s. It involves dipping small pieces of food into a hot sauce or cooking medium such as oil or broth. While cheese and chocolate fondues are most common, it is possible to cook biscuits in fondue, specifically in hot oil. A basic biscuit recipe involves using simple ingredients such as flour, baking powder, salt, shortening, and milk. These biscuits can be cut into small pieces and cooked in hot oil fondue, resulting in a unique and indulgent treat.

What is fondue?

Fondue is a Swiss dish that typically consists of melted cheese and wine served in a communal pot over a portable stove. It is eaten by dipping bread, vegetables, meat, or other snacks into the cheese using long-stemmed forks. The word "fondue" comes from the French verb "fondre", meaning "to melt".

Fondue originated in Switzerland as a way to use hardened cheese and stale bread during the winter months. It was promoted as a Swiss national dish by the Swiss Cheese Union in the 1930s as a way to increase cheese consumption in the country. Fondue was then popularized in North America in the 1960s.

Since the 1950s, the term "fondue" has been generalized to other dishes where food is dipped into a communal pot of liquid kept hot. This includes chocolate fondue, where pieces of fruit or pastry are dipped into a melted chocolate mixture, and fondue bourguignonne, where pieces of meat are cooked in hot oil or broth.

Fondue is typically prepared in a ceramic pot on the stovetop and then moved to the table, where it is kept warm by a small candle or similar heat source underneath. The trick to making good fondue is to ensure that the cheese melts smoothly and without separating, which can be achieved by incorporating a starch such as cornstarch.

Fondue is a social and interactive way to enjoy a variety of delicious foods, and it can be made as healthy or indulgent as desired. It is a great option for dinner parties or get-togethers with friends and family.

What equipment do you need to cook biscuits in fondue?

To cook biscuits in fondue, you will need a fondue pot, also known as a fondue pan, to melt the fondue and keep it warm. You can use an electric fondue pot or a ceramic or cast-iron fondue pot with a separate heat source such as a candle or sterno. If you don't have a fondue pot, you can use a small saucepan on a portable burner or food-warming candle to heat the fondue.

In addition to the fondue pot, you will need fondue plates, extension cords (if using an electric pot), and fondue forks or skewers for dipping. If you don't have fondue forks, you can use wooden skewers or long-stemmed forks.

For the biscuits, you will need the following ingredients: flour, baking powder, salt, shortening or butter, and milk. You will also need a large mixing bowl, a fork or pastry blender, a lightly floured surface for kneading the dough, a biscuit cutter or cookie cutter, and an ungreased baking sheet for baking the biscuits.

Once you have your equipment and ingredients, you can prepare the fondue according to your chosen recipe and heat it in the fondue pot. Cut the biscuits into bite-sized pieces or cubes that can easily be skewered. Each person will need a fondue fork or skewer to dip the biscuits into the fondue.

What are some biscuit recipes?

Biscuit Recipes

Fluffy Cheddar Biscuits

Erin Jeanne McDowell's recipe for Fluffy Cheddar Biscuits is a great option for those who want to add a bit of sharpness to their biscuits. The recipe includes instructions for making the biscuits in a food processor, but you can also use a fork or a pastry cutter. The key to this recipe is to handle the dough as little as possible to prevent the butter from melting before baking.

All-Purpose Biscuits

This recipe from The New York Times is an excellent option for those who want a simple, classic biscuit. The biscuits are described as "fat, flaky mounds of quick bread" with a "significant crumb." The recipe includes instructions for both a food processor and a mixing bowl, so you can choose the method that works best for you.

Mom on Timeout's Homemade Biscuits

This recipe from Mom on Timeout is a great option for those who want a quick and easy biscuit recipe. The biscuits are described as "soft, fluffy, and made completely from scratch." The secret to this recipe is to use cold butter and cold milk to keep the dough from becoming too soft. The recipe also includes instructions for using buttermilk instead of regular milk, which can give the biscuits a slightly different texture.

Cinnamon Sugar Biscuit Donut Holes

This recipe is a fun twist on traditional biscuits, turning them into donut holes that can be cooked in oil and rolled in cinnamon sugar. It is a perfect dessert option for a fondue party, especially if you are already planning on using oil for your main course. The recipe is simple: pop open a can of biscuits, quarter them, and serve them with a bowl of cinnamon sugar for guests to coat their donuts in.

What are some fondue recipes?

Fondue is a great way to socialise at a dinner party while enjoying a variety of delicious foods. You can make fondue as healthy or indulgent as you like, and there are many amazing fondue recipes to choose from. Here are some ideas for fondue recipes and dipper combinations to get you started:

Cheese Fondue

Cheese fondue is a classic and popular choice for fondue. It is usually made with a combination of cheeses such as Gruyère, Swiss cheese, Gouda, fontina, and Emmental. These cheeses are creamy, buttery, and melt smoothly, making them perfect for fondue. To make cheese fondue, you will need to bring wine to a simmer in a fondue pot, mix in some flour, and then add the shredded cheese a little at a time, stirring constantly until the cheese is melted. You can also add some nutmeg and salt to taste. If the fondue becomes too thick, you can add a little more white wine to thin it out.

• Cubed French bread or other crusty bread
• Meat such as cooked sliced hot sausage or thinly sliced steak
• Potatoes, such as baby potatoes or roasted potatoes
• Sliced fruit, such as apples or Granny Smith apples
• Vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, carrots, or bell peppers
• Crackers, chips, or pretzels

Chocolate Fondue

Chocolate fondue is a delicious and indulgent dessert option for your fondue party. It is easy to make and only requires two ingredients: dark chocolate and heavy cream. Simply melt the chocolate and cream together in a fondue pot over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth.

• Fresh fruit, such as strawberries, bananas, or pineapple
• Marshmallows
• Pound cake or angel food cake cubes
• Pretzels or graham crackers
• Cookies

Oil Fondue

Oil fondue, also known as hot oil fondue, is a classic recipe for deep-frying your favourite meats and breaded foods at the table. To make oil fondue, simply heat oil in a fondue pot to 375°F and add your desired dippers. Some popular options for oil fondue include:

• Meats such as cubed steak, breaded chicken, or sausage
• Vegetables like potatoes, zucchini, cauliflower, or asparagus
• Frozen sides like onion rings, cheese curds, or sweet potato fries
• Breaded foods such as shrimp or jalapeno poppers

Broth Fondue

Broth fondue is a great alternative or addition to oil fondue. It is less messy and doesn't leave your house smelling like a kitchen. You can heat some broth or stock in a fondue pot and add your desired dippers. Some options for broth fondue include:

• Meat such as potstickers, white fish, salmon, shrimp, or thinly sliced steak
• Vegetables like potatoes, broccoli, zucchini, carrots, or mushrooms

Other Fondue Ideas

In addition to the classic cheese, chocolate, oil, and broth fondues, there are also some other unique fondue recipes you can try:

• Macaroni & Cheese Fondue: a mix of Fontina, Cheddar, and Swiss cheese combined with pasta for an extra hearty dip
• Spinach Artichoke Cheese Fondue: a classic dip transformed into a melty cheese fondue, perfect with bread and vegetables
• Classic Beer Cheese Fondue: a combination of beer and cheese, perfect with pretzels, chips, bread, or vegetables

What foods can you cook in fondue?

Fondue is a fantastic way to cook and socialise at the same time. The definition of fondue is a dish in which small pieces of food are dipped into a hot sauce or cooking medium, such as oil or broth.

There are many types of fondue, from cheese to chocolate, and even meat cooked in oil or broth. Here are some ideas for foods to cook in fondue:

Cheese Fondue

Cheese fondue is a classic, and you can use a variety of cheeses, including Gruyère, Swiss, fontina, Gouda, Emmental, Comté, raclette, and vacherin. You can dip a range of foods in cheese fondue, including:

• Bread (French, rye, sourdough, baguette)
• Apples (especially tart Granny Smith apples)
• Crudites (cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, carrots)
• Bacon
• Roasted baby potatoes
• Steamed broccoli
• Pickles (especially cornichons)
• Cauliflower
• Mushrooms
• Sausage
• Pasta (ravioli, shells, fusilli, rigatoni)

Meat Cooked in Oil or Broth

If you're cooking meat in oil or broth, you can use a variety of meats, including:

• Cubed steak
• Breaded chicken
• Sausage
• Breaded shrimp
• Meatballs
• Thinly sliced marinated steak
• Thinly sliced marinated pork
• Hot dogs
• Chicken
• Salmon
• White fish
• Potstickers
• Shrimp

Other Foods to Cook in Oil

Besides meat, you can cook a variety of foods in oil, including:

• Vegetables (potatoes, zucchini, cauliflower, asparagus, summer squash, green beans, carrot slices, mushrooms, cubed potatoes)
• Frozen sides (onion rings, cheese curds, breaded ravioli, sweet potato fries, tater tots, jalapeno poppers, fish nuggets, breaded chicken)

Dessert Fondue

For dessert, chocolate fondue is a popular option. You can dip a variety of foods in chocolate fondue, including:

• Fresh fruit
• Store-bought dippers
• Cinnamon sugar biscuit donut holes

Frequently asked questions