Brie Fondue: A Delicious Twist On A Classic

Fondue is a fun and interactive way to entertain a group and is perfect for romantic dinners, small gatherings, or large parties. While traditional fondue is made with Swiss cheese, Gruyere, or Gouda, you can also use Brie as a substitute. Brie is a French cheese with a soft, mild, and buttery taste that melts well, making it ideal for fondue. To make Brie fondue, you will need to remove the rind, as it does not melt, and then slowly add small amounts of the cheese to a mixture of white wine, lemon juice, and garlic, whisking continuously until it melts into a smooth, rich, and creamy sauce. You can serve Brie fondue with a variety of dippers, including bread, vegetables, fruits, and meats. So, the next time you want to impress your guests, why not try making some delicious Brie fondue?

How to make brie fondue

Ingredients

Fondue is a fun and versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer or a main course. It's perfect for date nights, small gatherings, or large parties. Here's what you'll need to make a delicious brie fondue:

• Brie cheese (rind removed)
• White wine (dry variety such as Sauvignon Blanc)
• Cornstarch
• Green onions/chives, chopped
• Garlic, crushed or minced
• Nutmeg, freshly grated
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: lemon juice, butter, cream cheese, rosemary, or grapefruit juice

Dippers:

• French bread or sourdough bread
• Crackers
• Vegetables (asparagus, butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, etc.)
• Fruits (apple slices, pear slices, or grapes)
• Meat (smoked sausage, sliced meats, or shrimp)
• Cornichons (small pickles)

Instructions:

• Prepare your fondue pot: Rub the inside of your fondue pot and a saucepan with garlic. Leave the crushed garlic pieces in the saucepan.
• Make the wine base: Add white wine to the saucepan and heat it over medium-low heat. You can also add a small amount of lemon juice at this stage for extra flavour.
• Prepare the cheese: Remove the rind from the brie cheese, as it will not melt and can cause lumping. Cut the cheese into small cubes or grate it, if possible. Toss the cheese with cornstarch to coat it evenly.
• Melt the cheese: When the wine is hot, slowly add the cheese to the saucepan. Start with a small amount of cheese and use a wooden spoon or a whisk to stir slowly and constantly to prevent scorching.
• Combine and season: Once all the cheese has melted, add green onions/chives and remove the pot from the heat. Grate in a pinch of nutmeg and season with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add other seasonings like red pepper flakes, cinnamon, or your favourite herbs.
• Adjust consistency: If the fondue seems too runny, add more cheese. If it's too thick, slowly add a little more wine.
• Keep warm: Transfer the fondue to your fondue pot and keep it warm over low heat.
• Serve: Place the fondue pot in the centre of a platter and arrange your chosen dippers around it. Use fondue forks or skewers for dipping. Enjoy!

Tips:

• If you don't want to use wine, you can substitute it with grapefruit juice or simply use a larger amount of cheese.
• If you prefer a more complex fondue, you can add other types of cheese, such as gouda, gruyere, or cream cheese.
• For a baked brie fondue, place the cheese in an oven-proof dish, add wine and rosemary, and bake until melted and gooey.
• Always remember to stir your fondue constantly to prevent scorching and maintain a smooth consistency.

What to serve with brie fondue

There are many delicious foods that can be served with brie fondue. The mild, buttery taste of brie pairs well with other more pungent cheeses like Gruyere or Gouda. It also goes well with dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.

For dipping into the fondue, French bread or sourdough bread is a classic choice, but you could also try breadsticks, crackers, or even apple slices and grapes. If you want something more savoury, smoked sausage or ham cubes are a good option. For vegetarians, roasted vegetables like butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, bell peppers, broccoli, asparagus spears, cauliflower, and cherry tomatoes are all tasty alternatives.

If you want to add some extra flavour to your fondue, you could sprinkle red pepper flakes, cinnamon, or herbs on top. You could also add some fresh herbs and a pinch of black pepper to the fondue itself. Thyme would be a nice addition.

How to store brie fondue

Yes, you can use Brie cheese for fondue! It is a fun interactive way to entertain a group and also works for romantic dinners or a simple meal.

You can make this brie cheese fondue up to a day ahead of time. Keep it tightly covered in the refrigerator. Reheat it on the stove in a medium saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until it is heated through.

Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 2-3 days.

You can also freeze the brie fondue in an airtight freezer container for 2-3 months.

How to Make Brie Fondue:

• Start by slicing off the top of the brie cheese with a sharp knife. The rind will not melt and needs to be removed. Carefully use a vegetable peeler or a sharp knife to remove the white skin that surrounds the cheese.
• Chop up the brie into small pieces.
• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add some olive oil, shallots, and garlic. Cook until soft, stirring occasionally.
• Add white wine to the pot and bring to a simmer.
• In a separate bowl, mix cornstarch with cold water and pour the mixture into the pot. Stir to combine with the wine.
• Slowly add the cubes of brie to the pot, stirring after each addition.
• Continue stirring until all the cheese has melted and you have a smooth fondue.
• Season to taste with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
• Transfer the fondue to a fondue pot and keep it warm over a low flame or plugged-in source.

Removing the rind from the brie

Once the rind is removed, you'll be left with the soft cheese, which can be a bit sticky due to its texture. Chop the cheese into small pieces with a chef's knife. This step is necessary because brie is too soft to grate. After chopping, toss the cheese cubes with cornstarch to coat them evenly. This step will help create a smooth and creamy fondue.

Some people choose to keep the rind on their brie when consuming it, as it is edible and adds flavour. However, when making fondue, removing the rind is necessary to achieve the desired smooth and creamy consistency.

After removing the rind and chopping the cheese, you can proceed with the fondue recipe, adding the cheese to a simmering mixture of wine, lemon juice, and garlic. Whisk the mixture continuously until all the cheese has melted, creating a delicious brie fondue.

What to dip into the fondue

You can use brie cheese for fondue, and it is incredibly versatile, working for date nights, small gatherings, or as a party appetiser. But what can you dip into a brie fondue? Here are some ideas:

Bread

A French or sourdough loaf is a great choice to serve with fondue, as are breadsticks, focaccia, and ciabatta. You can also try bread cubes, or toast the bread and toss the cubes in olive oil and melted butter with herbs before baking until lightly toasted and golden brown.

Fruit

Apple slices, apple fritters, and grapes are all good choices to dip into a brie fondue. You could also try serving the fondue with apple butter and salted caramel.

Vegetables

Roasted vegetables such as butternut squash, brussels sprouts, and asparagus go well with brie fondue. You could also try dipping raw vegetables such as bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, cherry tomatoes, or mushrooms.

Meat

Smoked sausage, ham cubes, or smoked turkey sausage are all good options to dip into a brie fondue.

Nuts and dried fruit

Dried apricots and pecans are a good choice to accompany a brie fondue, as are roasted hazelnuts.

Frequently asked questions