Cooking Shrimp In A Fondue Pot: A Tasty Guide

Shrimp fondue is a unique and delicious way to enjoy shellfish, and it's perfect for a party or a special dinner with friends and family. It's also really easy to make! If you're looking for a fun and memorable experience for your next fondue party, shrimp is a great choice. It cooks quickly and pairs well with different flavours, giving you some flexibility when selecting a cooking liquid. Here's a simple guide to help you get started on cooking shrimp in a fondue pot.

Broth preparation

To make a broth for cooking shrimp fondue, you can use chicken broth, chicken stock, or a mixture of water and celery, fennel, peppercorns, lemon, vermouth, celery seed, salt, and Old Bay seasoning.

If using chicken broth, you will need to add 32 ounces of broth to a pot and bring it to a boil. You can then add your desired seasonings, such as garlic, ginger, white wine, salt, and pepper, and let the broth simmer for 30 minutes.

If using a water-based broth, combine water with the other ingredients and let the mixture sit for a couple of hours before bringing it to a boil and then reducing to a simmer for 10 minutes.

Once your broth is prepared, light the burner under your fondue pot and add the broth until the pot is almost full. You can reserve any remaining broth on the stovetop on low heat to replenish the fondue pot as needed. Keep an eye on the temperature of the broth, as it will cook your shrimp more efficiently if it is not too hot or too cold.

Shrimp preparation

First, prepare the shrimp by peeling and deveining them. Then, run them under cold water to rinse them off and pat them dry with a paper towel.

Next, cut the shrimp into bite-sized pieces. The size of the shrimp pieces is important, as it will affect the cooking time. For food safety, keep the raw shrimp in a separate bowl from the serving plates or bowls.

If you want to get creative, you can also marinate the shrimp before cooking them. This can add extra flavour to your dish. However, this is completely optional.

Once your shrimp are prepared, you can start cooking them in your fondue pot. Use fondue forks or skewers to spear the shrimp and place them into the simmering broth. Leave the shrimp in the broth until the meat turns pink and opaque, and starts to curl. This should only take around 1-2 minutes.

Finally, remove the shrimp from the broth and enjoy! You can serve them with various dipping sauces, such as cocktail sauce, barbecue sauce, or teriyaki sauce.

Cooking shrimp

Ingredients

• 2 lbs of shrimp, peeled, deveined, and rinsed
• 32 ounces of chicken broth (preferably low-sodium)
• 1/2 cup of white wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons of garlic, freshly minced
• 1/4 cup of green onions, diced
• Dipping sauces of your choice

Optional Ingredients

• Splash of Worcestershire sauce
• Grated ginger
• Black peppercorns
• Vegetables of your choice (e.g. carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, zucchini)
• Side dishes (e.g. rice, salad)

Instructions:

• Preheat your fondue pot: Set your fondue pot to medium heat.
• Prepare the broth: Add the chicken broth, white wine vinegar, and minced garlic to the pot. Whisk together.
• Heat adjustment: Set the fondue pot to medium-high heat and bring the broth to a soft boil.
• Add green onions: Include the chopped green onions and prepare to cook the shrimp.
• Cook the shrimp: Use fondue forks or skewers to spear the shrimp and cook them in the broth for 1 to 2 minutes each. The shrimp will be ready when they turn pink, opaque, and start to curl.
• Enjoy: Dip the cooked shrimp into your favorite sauces and enjoy!

Tips:

• Keep raw and cooked shrimp separate for food safety.
• For a more flavourful fondue, you can add ingredients such as sake, garlic, ginger, and Worcestershire sauce to the broth and let it simmer.
• For a well-rounded meal, serve the shrimp fondue with vegetables, side dishes, and other types of fondue, such as cheddar cheese.

Dipping sauces

When it comes to dipping sauces for a shrimp fondue, there are several options to choose from, ranging from savoury to spicy. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Savoury and Creamy Dipping Sauces:

• Sour Cream and Cream Cheese Blend: This combination creates a rich and creamy base that pairs well with the shrimp. You can add a dash of Worcestershire sauce and garlic salt to enhance the flavour.
• Cracked Pepper Sauce: This sauce is perfect for those who enjoy a bit of spice. It is made with cream cheese, butter, garlic, cracked peppercorn, and finely chopped shallots or green onions.
• Dill Sauce: A refreshing option that goes well with seafood. Combine sour cream or light sour cream with horseradish sauce, finely chopped red onion, fresh or dried dill, and lemon juice.
• Old Bay Butter Sauce: For a simple yet tasty option, mix clarified butter with Old Bay seasoning. This sauce adds a nice touch to your shrimp fondue.

Spicy and Flavourful Dipping Sauces:

• Teriyaki Sauce: This sauce offers a nice balance of sweet and savoury flavours. It is made with garlic, ginger, sesame oil, sherry wine or sake, brown sugar, and cornstarch.
• Tomato and Ginger Sauce: A vibrant and flavourful option, this sauce combines the sweetness of tomatoes with the spiciness of ginger.
• Cocktail Sauce: While the exact recipe for this sauce is not provided, cocktail sauce is a classic pairing with seafood and can add a spicy kick to your shrimp fondue.

When preparing your shrimp fondue, it is recommended to offer a selection of at least three dipping sauces to cater to different taste preferences. These sauces can be served at room temperature or warmed, depending on your preference.

Serving suggestions

Shrimp fondue is a fun and unique dish, perfect for parties and special occasions. It is a great alternative to the standard chocolate or cheese fondue and is a memorable experience for your guests.

You can serve shrimp fondue as a main course, with some delicious dipping sauces on the side. Some sauce suggestions include homemade cocktail sauce, a simple 2-ingredient barbecue sauce, or a made-from-scratch teriyaki sauce. You could also serve the shrimp with some fresh French bread to dip into the fondue, or even use the bread to soak up any remaining sauce at the end of the meal.

For a full fondue feast, you could start with the shrimp fondue as an appetizer, followed by a cheddar cheese fondue as the main course, and finish with a sweet chocolate fondue for dessert.

If you want to add some extra sides to your shrimp fondue, consider serving it with a wedge salad or other side salads, such as an avocado and tomato salad. You could also add some vegetables to the broth, such as potatoes, broccoli, and mushrooms.

For a real fondue experience, provide your guests with fondue forks or skewers to cook the shrimp themselves. This adds an interactive and fun element to the meal.

Frequently asked questions