Muenster Fondue: A Delicious Twist On A Classic

Fondue is a Swiss dish classically made with Alpine cheeses, white wine, kirsch, cornstarch, garlic, black pepper, and nutmeg. However, there are many variations of this dish, and it lends itself well to experimentation. For example, you can use Muenster cheese, a mild, white cheese with a reddish-orange rind made from paprika, in your fondue. Muenster is a great melting cheese, and it is often used in grilled cheese sandwiches. It can be a good addition to your fondue, giving it a more contemporary spin.

Muenster cheese as a fondue ingredient

Muenster cheese is a mild, semi-firm, white cheese with a reddish-orange rind made from paprika. It is currently made in Germany, France, and the United States, though it originated in the Alsace region of France. Muenster is a great melting cheese, making it a good choice for fondue. It has a creamy texture and a slightly salty nature, adding both texture and seasoning to a fondue.

Muenster is an American version of the French Muenster, which is a mild and soft washed-rind cheese. The American variety is similar to a mild jack cheese and has a slightly more complex, generically cheesy flavour. It is an especially good melting cheese, with an ultra-creamy texture when warm. It is a popular choice for sandwiches and is widely available in delis and grocery stores.

When making fondue with Muenster cheese, it is best to buy it by the block and grate it for melting. If you can only find it sliced, you will need several packages, and you should cut the slices into smaller pieces in advance for easier melting.

Muenster can be mixed with Swiss cheese, cheddar, and Alpine cheeses for a contemporary spin on traditional Swiss fondue. It can also be served cubed on the side as an extra cheesy bite.

Melting Muenster cheese

Muenster cheese is a mild, semi-firm, white cheese with a reddish-orange rind made from paprika. It is currently made in Germany, France and the United States, although it originated in the Alsace region of France and was first made by Benedictine monks. The name "muenster" comes from the word "monastery".

Muenster cheese is an excellent melting cheese, making it a great option for fondue. It has a creamy texture when melted and a slightly more complex, generically cheesy flavour. It is also a good choice for fondue because its mild flavour means it can be used to add texture and flavour without overpowering the other ingredients in the dish.

If you are using Muenster cheese for fondue, it is best to buy it by the block and grate it directly into the fondue. If you can only buy it sliced, you will need to cut the slices into smaller pieces to ensure they melt easily.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces coarsely grated Muenster cheese
• 8 ounces coarsely grated Monterey Jack cheese
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• Dipping items of your choice (e.g. bread, vegetables, meat)

Method

• Combine the cheeses and cornstarch in a bowl or large plastic bag and toss to coat.
• In a fondue pot or large heavy saucepan, bring the wine and garlic to a simmer over medium-low heat.
• Add the cheese a bit at a time, stirring well to prevent clumping, and cook until melted.
• Add the nutmeg, salt, pepper and stir well. Cook, stirring, until the mixture is smooth (around 3 to 5 minutes).
• Adjust the seasonings to taste and serve hot with your chosen dipping items.

What to dip in Muenster fondue

Muenster cheese is a great option for fondue, and there are plenty of delicious things you can dip into it. Here are some ideas:

• Bread: crusty, rustic bread is a classic fondue dipper. Try a baguette, sourdough, rye, focaccia, brioche, or bagels. You can even toast the bread first to help it stay together when you dip it.
• Pretzels: soft or crunchy pretzels are a tasty choice, and the saltiness goes well with the cheese.
• Crackers: any kind of cracker will do—whole wheat, pita chips, or even homemade crackers.
• Meatballs: whether they're made with beef, pork, chicken, turkey, or vegan meat, meatballs are a hearty and savoury option for your fondue.
• Seafood: try dipping lobster tails, crab legs, salmon, or shrimp into your muenster fondue.
• Apples and pears: the crisp, sweet fruit goes surprisingly well with the savoury cheese. Granny Smith apples and Bosc pears are especially good choices.
• Broccoli and cauliflower: these veggies are a bit healthier than some of the other options, and they can be dipped raw or lightly steamed.
• Roasted potatoes: fluffy, crispy potatoes are a delicious choice for fondue, and the cheese adds extra creaminess.
• Steak bites: cook up some perfectly seasoned steak bites and dunk them in the melted muenster for an indulgent treat.
• Bacon-wrapped smoked sausage: this salty, savoury option will be a crowd-pleaser.
• Chicken poppers: tender, juicy chicken coated in a crispy exterior is a yummy choice for fondue.
• Pickles: the tangy, briny flavour of dill pickles is actually a great match for rich, melty muenster cheese.

How to serve Muenster fondue

Yes, you can use Muenster in fondue! Here is how to serve a delicious Muenster fondue:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded Muenster cheese (about 8 ounces)
• 2 1/2 cups shredded Jarlsberg cheese (about 8 ounces)
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 clove garlic, smashed
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon dry sherry
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Cubed crusty bread, for dipping

Method:

• Toss the cheeses and cornstarch in a medium bowl and set aside.
• Rub the garlic all over the inside of a fondue pot, then discard.
• Add the wine and lemon juice to the pot and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.
• Add the cheese mixture in batches, whisking until melted before adding more. (The mixture may look separated or curdled at this point.)
• Reduce the heat to medium and add the sherry, mustard, and cayenne pepper; continue cooking, whisking, until incorporated (about 1 more minute).
• Keep warm over low heat and serve with bread.

Tips:

• For a non-alcoholic version, replace the wine with chicken broth.
• For a spicier fondue, add a pinch of nutmeg or increase the amount of cayenne pepper.
• If you don't have a fondue pot, you can use a regular saucepan or an electric fondue pot.
• If you want to make it ahead of time, you can keep it warm in a crockpot, but the texture may change.
• You can serve Muenster fondue with various dipping items such as steamed vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots), chicken sausages, apples, and bread.

Muenster fondue accompaniments

When making a fondue with Muenster cheese, there are several foods that can be served alongside it. Here are some ideas for accompaniments to your Muenster fondue:

Bread

Bread is a classic fondue dipping food and can be served in cubes or slices. French bread is a popular choice, but other types of crusty bread, such as rustic crusty bread or gluten-free bread, can also be used.

Vegetables

Steamed or lightly sauteed vegetables are a great option for dipping into fondue. Some ideas include broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, asparagus, mushrooms, and potatoes.

Meat

Cooked sliced sausage is a common meat option for fondue. Chicken sausages are also a good choice and pair well with Muenster cheese. Meatballs could be another option to add some variety to your fondue spread.

Fruits

Sliced apples or pickles are a good choice to accompany Muenster fondue, adding a sweet or tangy contrast to the cheesy dish.

Other Ideas

Some other possible dipping foods include pretzel sticks, grilled meats, and mushrooms. Fondue is a versatile dish, so feel free to experiment with different foods to find your favourite combinations!

Frequently asked questions