Fondue Fun: 2-Quart Capacity For Melty Goodness

Fondue is a fun and interactive dining experience that's perfect for parties or romantic nights in. While it may bring to mind images of the 1970s, it's a delicious treat in any decade. Fondue is a dish in which small pieces of food are dipped into a hot sauce or cooking medium such as oil or broth. The key equipment you'll need for fondue is a fondue pot and sticks or forks.

There are several types of fondue pots available, including electric fondue pots, ceramic or cast iron fondue pots, and stainless steel fondue pots. The size of the pot you choose will depend on the number of people you plan to serve, as well as the type of fondue you want to make. For a couple or a small group, a 2.4-quart pot should be sufficient. However, if you're planning a fondue party or have a large family, you may need a larger pot. It's important to consider the heating method and temperature control of the fondue pot, as well as its stability and safety features.

Fondue as a meal vs a snack/appetizer

Fondue can be served as either a meal or an appetiser/snack. The amount of cheese fondue you need per person depends on whether you are serving it as a meal or a snack.

Fondue as a meal

If you are preparing cheese fondue as a meal, each person can be expected to eat around 200 grams of cheese fondue. For big eaters, this can go up to 250 grams. If you don't have enough cheese fondue, or your fondue pot doesn't hold enough, you can serve extra dippers or side dishes.

Fondue as a snack/appetizer

Cheese fondue as a snack during a casual get-together or party is a delicious and original option. Depending on how many other tasty appetisers you're serving, you can assume around 100 grams of cheese fondue per person. For big eaters, this can go up to around 125 grams. If your table is full of other snacks and drinks, 70 to 100 grams is more than enough per person.

Tips for hosting a fondue party

• Large platters or boards for various dippers
• A cordless fondue pot for easy placement on the table
• A fondue fork and a regular appetizer fork, along with a small appetizer plate for each guest
• Separate utensils for eating and cooking
• A variety of dippers, including bite-size bread, apples, cured meats, shrimp, sausage, steak, asparagus, broccoli, small boiled potatoes, thinly sliced sausage, cornichons, steak tips, cucumber, carrot, cooked vegetables, and more
• Different sauces to complement the meat and seafood, such as sweet and spicy Thai ginger sauce, creamy horseradish sauce, spicy brown mustard, yum yum sauce, and honey butter

The best types of cheese for fondue

When it comes to choosing the best cheese for fondue, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to use good-quality cheese. This will make a big difference to the final product and is worth the extra expense. Secondly, the best cheeses for fondue are those that melt smoothly and have a buttery, creamy texture. With that in mind, here are some of the best types of cheese for fondue:

• Fontina
• Gruyère
• Gouda
• Comté
• Raclette
• Vacherin
• Emmentaler
• Cheddar

A classic Swiss fondue is made with a mix of traditional, firm mountain-style cheeses such as Gruyère, Swiss cheese, and gouda. For something a little different, why not try a cheddar fondue or a beer cheese fondue made with your favourite beer? If you're feeling creative, you can even experiment with adding different types of cheese to your fondue, such as mixing in some cheddar with a more traditional cheese like Gruyère.

Remember to grate your cheese instead of chopping it, as this will help it melt more quickly and evenly, resulting in a smoother fondue. And don't forget to toss the cheese with cornstarch to thicken the fondue and prevent clumping.

So, there you have it! The best types of cheese for fondue are those that will melt smoothly and give your fondue a creamy texture. Now, go ahead and invite your friends over for a fun and delicious fondue night!

How to make fondue without a fondue pot

Fondue is a fun, communal dish that is perfect for a party or a special occasion. Although it sounds fancy, it is actually very simple to prepare and doesn't require any specialized equipment. Here are some tips for making fondue without a fondue pot:

Ingredients

For a basic cheese fondue, you will need:

• Good-quality cheese (traditional choices include Swiss cheeses like Emmental, Gruyère, or a mix of both, but other options include fontina, gouda, Comté, raclette, and vacherin)
• Cornstarch or flour (to thicken the fondue and prevent the cheese from clumping)
• Dry white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, or an unoaked Chardonnay) or beer
• Garlic
• Lemon juice (optional)
• Mustard (optional)
• Nutmeg (optional)

Dippers

You can dip a variety of foods into your fondue. Some options include:

• Bread (French bread or baguette cut into 1-inch cubes)
• Apples (tart varieties like Granny Smith cut into cubes)
• Crudites (cherry tomatoes, sliced red bell pepper, carrots)
• Bacon (baked until crisp)
• Roasted baby potatoes
• Steamed broccoli
• Pickles (cornichons)
• Meat (cooked sliced hot sausage)
• Mushrooms

Method

The key to making fondue without a fondue pot is to use gentle heat. A traditional fondue pot uses a small flame to heat the cheese mixture, so using a similar low heat source is important to prevent burning or seizing up the cheese. Here are a few methods you can try:

• Crockpot: Combine all your ingredients in a crockpot, turn the heat to high, cover, and cook for about an hour and a half. Stir the mixture every fifteen minutes or so, and remove the garlic clove after the first stir. Uncover the pot for the last few minutes to allow excess moisture to escape.
• Double boiler: This method provides heat similar to a fondue pot. Add the wine and garlic to the simmering water in the pot, then stir in the cheese a handful at a time until melted.
• Thick-based pot: Add the wine and garlic to the pot, then slowly add the cheese in batches, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. This method can be quicker than the double boiler method, but be sure to keep the flame very low.

Tips

• Grate the cheese instead of chopping it to ensure quicker melting and a smoother fondue.
• Toss the cheese with cornstarch or flour before adding it to the pot to help thicken the fondue and prevent clumping.
• Add the cheese slowly and stir constantly to ensure a smooth fondue.
• If your fondue becomes too thick, add a little more wine to thin it out.
• If you want to make your fondue in advance, it can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months. Reheat gently over a double boiler, adding wine as needed to adjust the consistency.

Variations

• Beer cheese fondue: Substitute beer for the wine. This goes well with cheddar cheese.
• No alcohol: Use chicken or vegetable stock instead of wine.
• Extra flavor: Stir in a tablespoon of brandy, cognac, Kirsch, or cherry brandy for an extra kick.

So, there you have it! You don't need a fondue pot to enjoy a delicious and indulgent fondue. Get creative, experiment with different ingredients, and most importantly, have fun!

How to use fondue forks

Fondue forks are typically colour-coded and are used for cooking food in the broth or oil. It is important to note that you should not eat off the fondue forks, as this is unsanitary and can be dangerous due to the high temperatures. Instead, use a regular dinner fork to eat the cooked food.

Each guest should have two fondue forks so they can cook one item in the broth or oil and, while they wait, dip other items in the cheese. It is also important to keep the cooking skewers separate from the eating utensils to avoid cross-contamination.

When serving meat and seafood, provide an appropriate dipping sauce. You can experiment with different sauces, such as sweet and spicy Thai ginger sauce, creamy horseradish sauce, spicy brown mustard, or honey butter.

Fondue is a fun and interactive dining experience, perfect for a date night or a small gathering. It's important to follow safety precautions when using fondue forks and other equipment to ensure a pleasant and safe evening.

How much fondue you should make

The amount of fondue you should make depends on whether you are serving it as a meal or a snack, and how big your eaters are. If you are preparing cheese fondue as a meal, expect each person to eat around 200 grams of cheese fondue. For big eaters, this could be as much as 250 grams. If it's a snack, 100 grams per person should be enough, or 125 grams for big eaters. If your table is full of other snacks and drinks, 70 to 100 grams per person is plenty.

For a fondue dinner for four people, one pot of oil or broth fondue and one cheese fondue is ideal. For every four to five people, you should have one pot of oil or broth and one cheese fondue. For meat, serve around four ounces per person. If you are serving three kinds of meat to four people, for example, you would serve around six ounces of each meat.

In Switzerland, plan for 150 to 200 grams of cheese per adult or 100 to 150 grams per child. A family of four might be satisfied with 600 grams in total.

Frequently asked questions