Chinese Fondue: Cooking Beef To Perfection

Chinese fondue, also known as Fondue Chinoise, is a fun and social dish that's perfect for any occasion, from celebrations to simple dinners with friends. It typically consists of thinly sliced meat and vegetables cooked in a hot broth and served with delicious sauces. The beauty of this dish is that it can be customised to suit anyone's taste, and it's easy to prepare! This paragraph will teach you how to cook beef Chinese fondue, so get ready to impress your friends and family with this delicious and interactive meal.

Prepare the broth

The broth is the star of the show in a Chinese beef fondue, so it's important to get it just right. Here's a step-by-step guide to preparing a delicious and flavoursome broth for your next fondue feast.

Firstly, decide on the type of broth you want to make. A simple option is to use beef bouillon, which can be combined with water and other ingredients to create a tasty broth. Alternatively, you can use beef consomme or beef broth as your base.

If you're using bouillon, combine it with water in a saucepan and bring the liquid to a boil. You'll need enough broth to fill your fondue pot about two-thirds to three-quarters full, so adjust the amount of water accordingly. Once it's boiling, turn down the heat and let it simmer.

Now it's time to add some extra flavour to your broth. Try adding ingredients like white wine, soy sauce, green onion, ginger, garlic, or even a splash of cognac. You can also throw in some herbs or spices, such as parsley or white pepper, to give it an extra kick. Experiment with different combinations to find your perfect flavour profile.

Let the broth simmer for about an hour so that all the flavours can meld together. Give it a taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Remember, the broth should be on the blander side, as your guests will be adding their own dips and sauces to suit their tastes.

Once your broth is ready, transfer it to your fondue pot and place it on the burner in the centre of the table. Keep it simmering throughout the meal, and have some extra broth warming on the stovetop in case you need to top it up.

Now you're ready to dip, dunk, and enjoy!

Prepare the meat

The best cut of beef for Chinese fondue is tenderloin or beef fillet. You'll want to slice the meat as thinly as possible—about 200g per person. If you're having trouble slicing the beef, try freezing it for 1-2 hours beforehand to make the process easier. You can also ask your butcher to slice the meat for you.

If you're using frozen fondue-ready meat, simply thaw and proceed with the recipe.

Arrange the beef slices on a platter and set aside until you're ready to serve.

If you're cooking for guests, it's recommended that each guest has a complete place setting, including a dipping fork and a small bowl for the cooked food.

Prepare the vegetables

Preparing the vegetables for a Chinese beef fondue is simple. First, select your vegetables of choice. Popular options include mushrooms, peppers, sweet peas, broccoli, bok choy, carrots, cabbage, and lettuce. Once you have chosen your vegetables, wash and drain them thoroughly.

Next, you'll want to cut the vegetables into thin strips or bite-sized pieces. This ensures they cook evenly and quickly in the hot broth. If you don't like crunchy vegetables, you can blanch them for a few minutes before serving. Detach the cabbage leaves, leaving them whole, and slice the remaining vegetables.

After cutting the vegetables, arrange them nicely on a serving platter. You can also boil or blanch the vegetables before serving, especially if you prefer them softer or less crunchy. If boiling, dip them in the broth for 1-2 minutes before serving.

Now you're ready to serve the vegetables alongside the beef and other ingredients. Each guest can use a dipping fork to cook the vegetables in the hot broth to their desired doneness, typically 1-2 minutes, before enjoying them with their choice of sauces.

Prepare the sauces

The sauces are an important part of the Chinese fondue experience, as they allow your guests to season their food according to their own tastes. The beauty of this is that there are no hard and fast rules—you can adapt the sauces to your preferences. It's also a good idea to prepare a rather bland broth and let the dips be the source of flavour.

• Ginger and mustard sauce
• Seafood cocktail
• Bearnaise sauce
• Sweet Thai chilli sauce
• Spicy plum
• Satay peanut sauce
• Soy sauce
• Soy with Ginger Dressing
• Sesame Paste
• Preserved bean curd
• Hot Mustard
• Chili Oil
• Peanut Sauce
• Your favourite hot sauce
• Lemon juice and soy sauce with ground sesame seeds
• Curry sauce (curry powder and lemon juice)
• Cocktail sauce (very little lemon juice, salt, pepper, red pepper)
• Cilantro, grated ginger, chopped green onion and dried mushrooms added to a beef broth
• Chilli
• Dijonnaise
• Maple
• Herbs and honey
• Sun-dried tomato aioli
• Chutney
• Yogurt dip
• Mint and cucumber

Bring it all together

How to Cook Beef Chinese Fondue: Bringing it All Together

Now that you have all the ingredients and equipment ready, it's time to bring everything together and cook your delicious beef Chinese fondue! Here's a step-by-step guide to help you create this tasty dish:

Prepare the Ingredients:

Gather your beef, vegetables, broth, and any desired dipping sauces or condiments. Cut the beef into thin slices, and prepare the vegetables as needed. Common vegetables used include mushrooms, bok choy, broccoli, and carrots. You can cut them into bite-sized pieces or thin strips, depending on your preference.

Make the Broth:

In a saucepan, combine the water and beef broth (or beef consomme/bouillon). You can also add ingredients like white wine, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger to enhance the flavor. Bring the mixture to a boil.

Simmer the Broth:

Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat and let the broth simmer for about an hour. This allows the flavors to infuse into the broth. You can also add a splash of cognac or other seasonings at this stage if you wish.

Prepare the Dipping Sauces:

While the broth is simmering, prepare your choice of dipping sauces. Common options include soy sauce, ginger dressing, sesame paste, hot mustard, chili oil, peanut sauce, or your favorite hot sauce. You can also make curry sauce or cocktail sauce by mixing the respective ingredients.

Set Up the Fondue Pot:

Transfer the simmered broth to your fondue pot, filling it approximately 2/3 to 3/4 full. Place the fondue pot on a burner in the center of your table, ensuring it remains simmering throughout the meal. Keep any remaining broth warm on the stovetop.

Arrange the Meat and Vegetables:

Place the sliced beef and prepared vegetables on separate platters or plates. You can also include side dishes such as bean thread noodles, crusty bread, or steamed buns if desired.

Dipping and Cooking:

Provide each guest with a dipping fork and a small bowl for their cooked food. They can then spear a piece of meat or vegetable with their fork, immerse it in the hot broth for 1-2 minutes until cooked to their liking, and then dip it into their chosen sauce before enjoying.

Enjoy the Leftover Broth:

After everyone has finished cooking and eating the meat and vegetables, you can distribute the rich, flavorful broth as a soup. Simply add some rice noodles or bok choy to the broth, and enjoy it as a warming conclusion to your meal.

Remember, Chinese fondue is a fun and interactive dining experience, so feel free to adapt the recipe to your taste preferences and those of your guests. Enjoy the process of cooking and sharing this delightful dish with your loved ones!

Frequently asked questions