Fondue Pot Steak: A Quick, Easy, And Tasty Guide

Fondue is a fun and interactive way to cook and serve food, perfect for small groups. To cook steak in a fondue pot, you'll need to prepare the meat, heat the cooking liquid, and then cook the steak to your desired doneness. Here's a step-by-step guide:

First, select a metal, enamelware, or cast-iron fondue pot suitable for high-heat cooking. Choose an electric, alcohol, or butane burner to maintain the temperature. Ensure you have fondue forks or skewers for each diner. Cut your steak into bite-sized cubes, about 1-inch in size. You can marinate the steak cubes beforehand for added flavour. Keep the prepared steak refrigerated until you're ready to cook.

For the cooking liquid, you can choose between oil or broth. Vegetable oil, canola oil, grapeseed oil, and peanut oil are suitable options. If using broth, choose one that complements your steak, such as beef broth for a beef fondue. Heat the cooking liquid on the stovetop to a temperature of around 375°F (190°C).

Place a trivet on your table to protect the surface and then carefully transfer the heated liquid into the fondue pot. Fill the pot about one-third to half full to prevent splashing and overheating. Place the fondue pot on its burner and adjust the heat to maintain the desired temperature.

Now, each diner can skewer a piece of steak and cook it in the hot liquid. For rare steak, cook for 25-30 seconds, for medium, cook for 30-45 seconds, and for well-done, cook for 45-60 seconds. Remove the cooked steak from the fondue pot and transfer it to a plate. Use a regular fork to eat the steak, as the fondue fork can get very hot.

Serve your fondue steak with a variety of dipping sauces and enjoy the interactive dining experience!

Choosing the right fondue pot

Type of Fondue Pot

There are four main types of fondue pots:

• Cheese fondue pots are typically made of ceramic or earthenware, have a flat bottom, and a large opening for dipping. They use an adjustable alcohol or gel fuel burner to maintain the constant temperature required to keep the cheese melted.
• Hot oil/broth fondue pots are made of materials that can withstand very high temperatures, such as stainless steel, copper, or cast iron. These pots are designed to fully cook meat and are not suitable for ceramic.
• Dessert/chocolate fondue pots are smaller and use a tealight to keep the chocolate melted. They are made of earthenware, ceramic, porcelain, or tempered glass.
• Electric fondue pots have become popular in recent years and are versatile, suitable for various types of fondue. They are easy to use, allowing you to simply plug in, set the temperature, and enjoy.

Size and Capacity

Consider the number of people you plan to cook for. Smaller fondue pots are great for intimate gatherings or date nights, while larger pots are better for hosting dinner parties. Fondue pots range in capacity from a single cup to more than a gallon, so choose one that fits your needs.

Material

The material of the fondue pot impacts heat retention, washability, and price. Here are some common materials:

• Cast iron offers excellent heat retention but is heavy and expensive.
• Enameled cast iron adds a smooth coating that makes it easier to clean and performs similarly to ceramic.
• Stainless steel and aluminum are lightweight and often have a non-stick coating, but they may heat unevenly and cause scorching.

Heat Source

Fondue pots can be powered by electricity or an open flame, such as a candle or chafing fuel. Electric fondue pots are simpler to use and allow for more precise temperature control. Open-flame pots have a romantic atmosphere but can be less adjustable and pose a safety hazard.

Stability and Safety

Look for a fondue pot with a sturdy stand to keep the hot contents in the pot. Avoid ceramic pots if you're concerned about breakage. Also, consider the length of the power cord for electric pots to ensure it's long enough for your dining room or consider using an extension cord.

Preparing the steak

Select a good cut of steak. A tenderloin or rump steak is ideal for fondue. You will need around 800g of beef to serve six people. Cut the steak into bite-sized cubes, about 1-inch in size. Blot the steak dry with paper towels and arrange on a platter. You can also season the steak at this stage, or marinate it if you want to add more flavour.

Before cooking, it's important to ensure your steak is at room temperature. Remove it from the fridge around 20 minutes before you plan to start cooking.

When you're ready to cook, fill your fondue pot with vegetable oil or broth. Heat the liquid on the hob until it's hot but not smoking. You're aiming for a temperature of around 190°C (375°F). If you don't have a thermometer, you can test the temperature by throwing in a cube of bread. If it turns golden brown within 30 seconds, the oil is ready.

Place the fondue burner on a table and light the flame, following the manufacturer's instructions. Put the pan on top of the burner and give each guest a fondue fork.

To cook the steak, skewer a piece of meat with a fondue fork and dip it into the hot oil or broth. The cooking time will depend on how well done you like your steak. For rare steak, cook for 25-30 seconds, for medium, cook for 30-35 seconds, and for well-done steak, cook for 45-60 seconds.

When the steak is cooked to your liking, remove it from the fondue pot and dislodge it from the fondue fork with a table fork. It's important to note that fondue forks can get very hot, so always use a regular fork to eat the cooked steak.

Selecting a cooking liquid

Oil

Using oil is a more traditional approach to cooking meat fondue. Suitable types of oil include vegetable, canola, grapeseed, and peanut. It is important to thoroughly dry the meat pieces before cooking to prevent the oil from splashing out of the fondue pot. When heating the oil, aim for a temperature of around 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). You can test the temperature by using a deep-frying thermometer or by tossing a cube of bread into the oil – if it turns golden brown within 30 seconds, the oil is ready.

Broth

Broth is another option for the cooking liquid, especially if you want to add more flavour to the meat. You can infuse broth with herbs and spices to enhance the taste. It is recommended to choose a broth that corresponds to the type of meat you are using. For example, beef broth is a good choice for cooking beef fondue. When heating the broth, similar to oil, you should aim for a temperature of around 375 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use a deep-frying thermometer to check the temperature.

Wine or Champagne

Cooking with wine or champagne is also an option, especially when serving seafood. However, it is important to note that these liquids have a lower boiling point than oil or broth, so you should be careful not to overheat them.

Safety Considerations

Regardless of the cooking liquid you choose, it is important to follow safety precautions when preparing a steak fondue. Always use a trivet to protect your table from the hot fondue pot. Additionally, if a fire starts in the fondue pot, do not use water to try to put it out, as this will spread the fire. Instead, cover the pot with a lid to cut off the oxygen supply.

Heating the cooking liquid

Firstly, choose your cooking liquid. You can opt for either oil or broth. If you want to add more flavour to the steak, broth is a good choice as you can infuse it with herbs and spices. Choose a broth that complements the type of steak you are using. On the other hand, if you prefer a more traditional steak fondue, vegetable oil, canola oil, grapeseed oil, or peanut oil are ideal choices. Ensure that you thoroughly dry the steak pieces before cooking to prevent oil splashing out of the fondue pot.

Once you have chosen your cooking liquid, it's time to heat it. Use a heavy-bottomed pan on the stovetop and heat the liquid to a temperature of around 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). This is the ideal temperature for cooking steak in a fondue pot. Use a deep-frying thermometer to check the temperature.

If you are using oil and do not have a thermometer, there is a simple test to check if the oil is ready. Take a cube of bread and toss it into the hot oil. If the bread turns golden brown within 30 seconds, your oil has reached the correct temperature.

Now that your cooking liquid is heated, carefully transfer it into the fondue pot. Pour the liquid until the pot is about one-third to half full. Be cautious to avoid spilling the hot liquid on yourself.

Place the fondue pot on a trivet on your table to protect the surface. Turn on the fondue burner to maintain the cooking liquid at the right temperature. It is crucial to keep the liquid at around 375 degrees Fahrenheit for the best results.

If the cooking liquid has cooled down at any point, make sure to re-test the temperature before cooking your steak. Use a deep-frying thermometer or the bread cube test if using oil.

Cooking the steak

Firstly, you will need to cut the steak into bite-sized pieces. It is recommended to cut the steak into 1x1/2-inch pieces or 1-inch cubes. If you are cooking for guests, you can prepare the steak in advance and blot it dry with paper towels before arranging it on a platter and storing it in the refrigerator until serving time.

When you are ready to cook the steak, you will need to heat the cooking liquid in a heavy-bottomed pan on the stove top. The cooking liquid can be either oil or broth. Suitable oils include vegetable, canola, grapeseed, and peanut. If you are using broth, you can infuse it with herbs and spices for added flavor. Heat the cooking liquid to a temperature of around 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).

Once the cooking liquid has reached the desired temperature, carefully transfer it into the fondue pot. Pour the liquid until the pot is around one-third to one-half full. Place the fondue pot on a trivet on the table to protect the surface. Turn on the fondue burner to maintain the temperature of the cooking liquid.

Now you are ready to start cooking the steak! Skewer a piece of steak with a fondue fork or bamboo skewer and dip it into the cooking liquid. The cooking time will depend on your desired level of doneness. For rare steak, cook for 25-30 seconds, for medium-rare, cook for 30-45 seconds, and for well-done steak, cook for 45-60 seconds.

Once the steak is cooked to your liking, remove it from the fondue pot and dislodge it from the skewer with a regular table fork. The fondue fork can become very hot, so it is important to use a regular fork for eating. Enjoy your delicious fondue steak!

Frequently asked questions