Fondue Feast: A Tasty Guide To Melty Goodness

Fondue is a fun and interactive way to enjoy a meal with friends and family. It's a great option for a special occasion or celebration and can be served as an appetiser, main course, or dessert. While it may sound fancy, fondue is actually pretty simple to prepare and there are endless options for customisation. The most important part of the meal is, of course, the fondue pot. There are a few different options to choose from, each with their own pros and cons. A classic fondue pot uses a flame for heat and is usually made from heavy cast iron or ceramic. These pots look nice and have a nostalgic appeal, but they offer little temperature control. For this reason, many people prefer to use an electric fondue pot, which allows for more precise temperature adjustments. Once you've selected your pot, it's time to choose your fondue! Cheese fondue is a classic option and is usually served as an appetiser. It's important to use good-quality cheese and shred it by hand for the best results. You can also add some wine to enhance the flavour and prevent curdling. For the main course, you have a few options. You can stick with the traditional cheese fondue, or you can try something different like broth or oil fondue. Broth fondue is a great option if you want something with more flavour, and it's also a bit safer than oil. You can cook meat and vegetables in the broth, but make sure to pay attention to cooking times. Finally, for dessert, chocolate fondue is a popular choice. This is a pretty straightforward recipe, but be sure to use chocolate with a high cocoa solid content to get the best results. Now that you know the basics, it's time to start planning your fondue dinner!

Choosing the right fondue pot

The type of fondue pot you choose will depend on the type of fondue you want to make. For cheese and chocolate fondue, a ceramic pot is best as these don't require high heat. For meat and seafood fondue, a metal pot is preferable as these require higher temperatures. An enamel cast iron fondue pot is a good option if you want to make any type of fondue.

If you're using a traditional fondue pot, you'll need to heat the food on the stove first and then transfer it to the pot. This is because the flame from a gel or sterno canister usually doesn't produce enough heat to cook the food. Electric fondue pots, on the other hand, offer more precise temperature control, making it easier to produce the best final product. However, they may require an extension cord and can be trickier to wash.

When choosing a fondue pot, it's also important to consider the number of guests you'll be serving. Each guest will need their own fondue fork, and having too many forks in one pot can be awkward. It's recommended to have no more than four people per pot. If you're entertaining a larger group, consider investing in multiple fondue pots.

Fondue dippers

When it comes to fondue dippers, the options are endless! Here are some ideas to get you started:

Breads and Crackers

• Cubed pieces of bread such as sourdough, French bread, rye bread, pumpernickel bread, brioche, whole wheat bread, olive bread, focaccia bread, ciabatta bread, naan, or challah.
• Breadsticks, bagels, English muffins, tortillas, or pretzels.
• Sweet bread with nuts and dried fruits.
• Crackers such as wheat crackers, pita chips, or tortilla chips.

Vegetables

• Raw or steamed vegetables such as asparagus, zucchini, artichoke hearts, mini sweet peppers, carrots, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, tomatoes, broccoli, mushrooms, green beans, baby potatoes, fingerling potatoes, French fries, tater tots, pearl onions, red onion, sweet onions, or squash
• Roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts, potatoes, and cauliflower.
• Bell peppers sliced into long strips.

Fruits

• Apples, especially tart green apples like Granny Smith.
• Pears, such as Bosc pears with their nutmeg and cinnamon undertones.
• Grapes.

Meats

• Bite-sized pieces of fully cooked meat such as marinated sirloin, filet mignon, herb-roasted chicken breast, prime rib, mini meatballs, beef jerky, miniature smoked sausages, duck breast, or ham.
• Cured meats such as salami, chorizo, pepperoni, prosciutto, or soppressata.
• Shrimp, salmon, lobster tail, crab legs, or ahi tuna.
• Potstickers, pickles, pasta (especially ravioli), or roasted jalapeño peppers.

Other Ideas

• Large pasta shapes with nooks and crevices, such as shells, fusilli, or rigatoni.
• Cheese fries.
• Meatballs (beef, chicken, veal, or vegetarian).
• Italian/Andouille sausage.
• Bacon.

Fondue etiquette

Fondue is a fun and social meal, but there are some rules of etiquette to be aware of to ensure your dinner party goes smoothly. Here are some tips to ensure you don't fall foul of any fondue faux pas:

Double Dipping

This is a big no-no. Fondue is a communal dish, so it's important to respect your fellow diners and avoid double dipping.

Use of Fondue Fork

The fondue fork is for dipping only. Do not eat directly from the fondue fork, and do not let your lips or tongue touch the tines. Instead, use the fondue fork to place the dipped food on your plate, then use your regular fork to eat it.

Sharing is Caring

If you are the host, ensure each guest has their own fondue fork and regular fork, along with a small plate. If serving a side salad, use dinner plates.

No Lip-Smacking

When removing food from the fondue fork, use your front teeth only. Do not smack your lips around the fondue fork.

Keep it Clean

If you are unwell, be considerate of your fellow diners. Ask the host to carve out a separate portion for you to avoid any cross-contamination.

Watch Your Manners

If a fellow diner is guilty of a fondue faux pas, such as double dipping, it is best to let it slide, especially if they are an important guest. You don't want to embarrass them or make them lose face. Instead, try to make a joke about it or change the subject.

How to cook vegetables for fondue

There are a few ways to cook vegetables for fondue. The first is to blanch them in a pot of lightly salted boiling water for a minute or two to soften them. You can also roast them. To roast vegetables, toss them in olive oil, salt, pepper, and chopped garlic. Then, roast them in the oven at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. The type of vegetables you use is up to you, but some good options are peppers, carrots, baby corn, parsnips, zucchini, squash, eggplant, and onions. You can also serve raw vegetables, such as celery sticks, with fondue.

Chocolate fondue

Ingredients

• 6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped into small pieces
• 4 ounces milk chocolate, chopped into small pieces
• 1/2-3/4 cup whole milk (or milk alternative)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt

Optional toppings

Flaky sea salt

Suggested dippers

• Fresh fruit: strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, bananas, clementines, etc.
• Cookies: Oreos, Pirouette cookies, Milanos, etc.
• Treats: pound cake, Rice Krispies treats, brownie bites, marshmallows, etc.

Method

• Start by preparing all of your chosen dippers and laying them out on a platter or board.
• In a small bowl, combine the chocolate, milk or cream, and butter. Melt gently in a barely simmering water bath or microwave on medium power for about 2 minutes.
• Stir the mixture until completely smooth.
• Add more milk if you prefer a thinner consistency.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla and salt.
• Serve the warm fondue immediately with your chosen dippers.

Tips

• If the fondue gets too thick or starts to harden, reheat it in the microwave in 15-second bursts, stirring for 10 seconds between each burst, until it is melted and smooth again.
• Butter will result in a more mellow chocolate flavour. For a more intense chocolate fondue, leave out the butter.
• If you want to make the fondue in advance, it can be reheated gently on low heat.
• If you don't have a fondue pot, a small slow cooker or a saucepan placed on a heating pad or over a bowl of very hot water will also work.

Frequently asked questions