Captain America: Fondue, A Super-Soldier's Favorite Comfort Food

In Captain America: The First Avenger, Steve Rogers mistakes the word 'fondue' for a sexual innuendo. When Howard invites Peggy for a 'late-night fondue', Steve asks, You two fondue?. Peggy moves on to discuss military strategies, sparing Steve the embarrassment of his blunder. In a later scene, Steve continues to ask, How do I know you two haven't been fonduing?. Howard finally clarifies, saying, It's just cheese and bread, my friend.. This has led to the phrase 'do you fondue' being used as a replacement for the word 'fuck' or to refer to sexual intercourse.

Steve Rogers mistakes fondue for a sexual innuendo

Steve Rogers, the First Avenger, is an iconic character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In the 2011 film *Captain America: The First Avenger*, Steve Rogers mistakes the word 'fondue' for a sexual innuendo.

In the film, Howard Stark invites Peggy Carter for a 'late-night fondue'. Steve, unsure of the meaning of the word, gestures between them and asks, "You two fondue?". Peggy, understanding Steve's mistake, gracefully moves on to discuss military strategies. However, Steve's confusion about the term persists, and in a later scene, he asks again, "How do I know you two haven't been fonduing?".

Howard Stark eventually clarifies the meaning of 'fondue' by explaining, "It's just cheese and bread, my friend." The word 'fondue' originates from the French word 'fondre', which means 'to melt'. The dish involves melting cheese in a pot and dipping chunks of bread into it.

Steve Rogers' mistake is understandable, given the suggestive nature of the word and the context of Howard's invitation. This scene adds a touch of humour to the film, showcasing Steve's innocence and awkwardness when it comes to romantic situations. It also highlights the cultural differences between the characters, as the term 'fondue' was not commonly known in the United States until the 1960s.

This particular scene from *Captain America: The First Avenger* has left a lasting impact on popular culture, with the term 'fondue' even gaining a new, playful connotation as a result.

Howard Stark clarifies that fondue is just cheese and bread

In Captain America: The First Avenger, Howard Stark clarifies to Steve Rogers that fondue is "just cheese and bread, my friend". This comes after Steve mistakes the word 'fondue' for a sexual innuendo when Howard invites Peggy Carter for a 'late-night fondue'. Steve asks, "You two fondue?", to which Peggy deflects by moving on to discuss military strategies.

Howard Stark's clarification that fondue is just cheese and bread is a lighthearted moment in the film that reveals something about Steve's character. Despite his physical strength as a super-soldier, Steve is not particularly smooth or confident when it comes to women and relationships. He assumes that 'fondue' must be some kind of euphemism, which Peggy quickly realises and gracefully avoids addressing directly.

The word 'fondue' originates from the French word 'fondre', meaning 'to melt'. The dish itself consists of melted cheese in a pot, into which chunks of crunchy bread are dipped. This style of eating is reminiscent of other communal dishes like lok lok or steamboat. Fondue also has dessert variations, such as a chocolate fountain with marshmallows or fruit skewers.

Howard Stark's clarification that fondue is just cheese and bread not only provides a moment of comic relief in the film but also highlights the cultural and historical context of the time. Fondue, despite its simple ingredients, was considered a fancy or unusual dish, only accessible to the wealthy like Howard Stark. This is ironic given that cheese and bread are now some of the most common and widespread foods in the world.

The origin of fondue in the Alpines

Fondue, from the French word "fondre", meaning "to melt", originated in the 18th century in the Alpines. It was a Swiss dish created to make use of leftover bread and cheese during the cold winter months when fresh produce was scarce. The limited ingredients required to make fondue—stale bread, some remaining cheese, and a dash of wine—meant that farm families could stretch their limited resources. By dipping the bread into the melted cheese, the bread was softened and became more appetizing.

The first written recipes for fondue appear in 18th-century cookbooks published in France and Belgium, which call for the use of Gruyère, a Swiss cheese. Despite its rural origins, fondue was enjoyed by people of means and was not limited to the farmhouse and the peasant class. In the 1930s, the Swiss Cheese Union (Schweizerische Käseunion) began a campaign to increase cheese consumption in Switzerland, promoting fondue as the Swiss national dish. After World War II and the end of rationing, fondue became a symbol of Swiss unity and national identity.

Fondue is traditionally made and served in an earthenware pot called a "caquelon", which heats evenly and retains heat so that the meal can be enjoyed slowly. Diners skewer cubes of bread and dip them into the melted cheese, being careful not to leave their bread in the pot for too long as it may disintegrate. The crust that forms at the bottom of the pot, called the "religieuse", is considered a delicacy and is chipped away and served at the end of the meal.

While there is no standard recipe for Swiss cheese fondue, one popular blend is an equal mixture of Gruyère and Vacherin Fribougeois, known as "moitiè-moitiè" or "half-and-half". Other variations include Gruyère mixed with Appenzeller in eastern Switzerland, or a blend of Gruyère and Raclette in Valais. In addition to cheese, wine, and garlic, Swiss fondue may also include mountain herbs, paprika, cayenne, nutmeg, mustard, and occasionally tomato coulis. Fondue is typically served with sturdy white or brown bread, as well as potatoes, cornichon, and pickled pearl onions.

Chocolate fondue and chocolate fountains

Chocolate fondue is a dessert where chunks of food are dipped into melted chocolate. The melted chocolate is typically served in a fondue pot, which is a small pot that sits on top of a burner to keep the chocolate warm. The burner can be fuelled by candles or electricity. Fondue forks or skewers are used to dip the food into the chocolate, and common foods for dipping include fruit, marshmallows, pretzels, cookies, and cake.

Chocolate fountains are a more extravagant version of chocolate fondue. They are machines that continuously circulate melted chocolate, which flows over a tiered tower and back into a basin. The chocolate is pumped from the basin to the top of the tower, where it cascades down in a mesmerizing display. Guests can then dip various foods into the flowing chocolate. Chocolate fountains are a great way to create a stunning visual display at an event and are often the centrepiece of a dessert table.

When it comes to the chocolate itself, there are a few different options to consider. Some recipes call for pure chocolate, while others use a combination of chocolate and cream or oil to create a smoother consistency that is better suited for fountains. It is important to use a chocolate with a high cocoa butter content to ensure it melts smoothly. Semisweet chocolate chips, dark chocolate, and milk chocolate are all popular choices. Additionally, some recipes include flavour enhancements such as vanilla extract or liquor.

Setting up a chocolate fountain requires careful preparation. It is crucial to read the instruction manual for your specific fountain, as different models may have varying requirements. In general, the setup process involves levelling the fountain on a stable surface, preheating the machine, heating the chocolate, assembling the tower, and finally, pouring the chocolate into the fountain. It is also important to ensure that no water comes into contact with the chocolate, as this can cause it to separate.

Both chocolate fondue and chocolate fountains offer a delightful and interactive dessert experience. They are a fun way to indulge your sweet tooth and are sure to be a hit at any gathering.

Captain America's relationship with Peggy Carter

The relationship between Captain America and Peggy Carter is a popular topic among fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In the MCU, Steve Rogers and Peggy Carter first meet when she is assigned to Colonel Chester Phillips' training base, where she meets candidates for Project Rebirth, including Steve Rogers. The two bond over their shared struggles to gain respect in the war, with Peggy smiling as she watches Steve do something smarter or braver than the other candidates. Once he is chosen for Project Rebirth, she escorts him to the Strategic Scientific Reserve Brooklyn Facility. During the procedure, Peggy attempts to stop the process as Steve is in severe pain, but he insists they continue.

After the procedure, Steve's body has transformed, and Peggy is one of the first to greet him. Their relationship continues to develop, and they work together to fight HYDRA. Peggy cares for Steve, and the two are shown to be attracted to each other, wanting to further their relationship. However, Steve's presumed death puts a halt to their budding romance. Peggy moves on with her life, eventually marrying someone else.

When Steve is recovered from the ice in 2012, he reconnects with Peggy, but the spark between them is gone. This reunion is still an important moment for Steve, as he realizes how much he has lost due to HYDRA. Peggy's death is a huge turning point for Steve, and he continues to fight with a sense of bitterness and frustration over the life he could have had with Peggy.

Using time travel, Steve eventually creates a new branch of reality where he marries a younger Peggy, and the two spend their entire lives together.

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