Fondue Night: Hosting An Intimate, Fun Dinner At Home

Fondue is a fun and interactive dining experience that can be enjoyed by all ages and is perfect for special occasions or weeknight treats. It's a great way to bring people together and make cooking a part of the enjoyment. While it may seem like a fancy and intimidating dish, fondue is actually quite simple to prepare and can be made in a variety of ways, from cheese and chocolate to meat with oil and broth. The key to a successful fondue night is planning and having the right equipment, such as a fondue pot and forks, as well as choosing high-quality ingredients.

Choosing a fondue pot

When choosing a fondue pot, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, the heat source is an important factor. You can opt for an electric fondue pot, which is convenient and eliminates the need for open flames, but it needs to be placed near an outlet. Alternatively, traditional fondue pots use an open flame, such as a candle or gel fuel, and offer a more rustic experience, but require additional fuel purchases and have less temperature control.

The size of the pot is another consideration. If you plan on entertaining large groups, a larger pot with a capacity of 3 quarts or more is ideal. However, for smaller gatherings or intimate dinners for one or two people, a 1.5-quart pot should suffice.

The material of the fondue pot is also worth noting. Cast iron pots are sturdy and retain heat well but can be heavy. Enameled cast iron provides a smooth coating that makes cleaning easier. Stainless steel and aluminium are lightweight and often have non-stick coatings, but may heat unevenly. Ceramic fondue pots offer even heat distribution and are easy to clean, but may not be as durable.

Ease of cleaning is another factor to keep in mind. Some fondue pots are dishwasher-safe, while others require hand washing. If hand washing is recommended, consider whether you're likely to do so, as improper care can damage the pot.

Lastly, consider the features that come with the fondue pot. Most sets include forks, but some also provide additional accessories like fork rings, serving trays, or fuel canisters. These extras can enhance your fondue experience, so review what's included before making your purchase.

Selecting dippers

Classic Dippers:

Start with the classics, such as bite-sized bread cubes and apples. Bread is a must-have for fondue, and it's best to use crusty, cubed bread that is easy to skewer and dip. French bread or a baguette are excellent choices. As for apples, tart varieties like Granny Smith are recommended. Instead of slices, cut the apples into cubes for easier dipping.

Meat Dippers:

If you want to add protein to your fondue dinner, there are several options available. Shrimp, sausage, steak, and cured meats like prosciutto are all excellent choices. Just be sure to cut the meat into bite-sized pieces or cubes. You can also offer cooked meats, such as grilled shrimp or sliced sausage, for guests who prefer not to cook their own meat in the fondue pot.

Vegetable Dippers:

Vegetables are a healthy and delicious addition to your fondue selection. You can offer a variety of fresh vegetables such as cucumber, carrot, asparagus, and broccoli. Cooked or roasted vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and potatoes, are also great options. Just be sure to cut them into bite-sized pieces. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even dip vegetables in a tempura batter before cooking them in hot oil fondue.

Cheese Fondue Dippers:

Cheese fondue is a classic and versatile option. In addition to bread and apples, you can offer cooked vegetables, such as broccoli or cauliflower florets. Cooked pasta, especially chicken ravioli, is also a tasty choice. For a heartier option, try macaroni and cheese fondue, or spinach artichoke cheese fondue.

Other Unique Dippers:

Think outside the box and offer some unique dippers to surprise and delight your guests. Bacon, roasted baby potatoes, cornichons (small pickles), and steamed broccoli are all tasty options. For a sweet treat, consider roasted baby potatoes with honey butter or steamed broccoli with cheese fondue. You can even offer potato chips or French fries for a fun twist!

Remember, the key to a successful fondue dinner is variety. Offer a mix of classic and unique dippers to cater to different tastes and keep your guests entertained. Happy dipping!

Fondue etiquette

Fondue is a fun and interactive dining experience that can be a unique way to bring people together. To ensure your fondue dinner is a success, here is some fondue etiquette to follow:

Before You Start

If you are feeling unwell, it is best to avoid sharing food with others. You could ask for a separate portion or suggest an alternative meal.

Setting Up

Provide each guest with a fondue fork and a regular fork, along with a small plate. If serving a side dish, use larger plates.

During the Meal

Use the fondue fork to dip your food, then place it on your small plate. Use your regular fork to eat the food from your plate. Do not eat directly from the fondue fork.

Do not double-dip. This is a big no-no and could spread germs.

If someone is taking more than their fair share, try making a light-hearted joke, such as "Hey, leave some for the rest of us!"

After the Meal

Remember to keep raw and cooked food separate, and use different utensils for eating and cooking to avoid cross-contamination.

Bonus Fondue Fact

According to Martha Stewart, if a woman drops something into the fondue pot, she must kiss every man at the table. If a man does the same, he must buy a round of drinks for the table.

Preparing the ingredients

Firstly, it's important to select high-quality, fresh ingredients. For cheese fondue, opt for creamy, buttery cheeses that melt smoothly, such as Gruyère, Swiss cheese, Gouda, fontina, or Emmental. You can also experiment with other varieties like cheddar, raclette, or Comté. Grate the cheese to ensure quicker melting and a smoother fondue.

For the dippers, you can choose from a variety of options. The classics include bite-sized bread cubes, preferably from a crusty loaf, and apples cut into slices or cubes. You can also offer raw or steamed vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, carrots, bell peppers, or potatoes. If you want to add protein, consider shrimp, steak, sausage, or cured meats.

If you're making a broth or hot oil fondue, you'll need a selection of meats and vegetables that can be cooked in the fondue pot. This can include cubed steak, chicken, shrimp, sausage, potatoes, zucchini, cauliflower, and asparagus. For a unique twist, provide a bowl of tempura batter so your guests can batter and fry shrimp, vegetables, or other items in the hot oil.

For dessert, a chocolate fondue is always a crowd-pleaser. Use dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or a combination of both, and melt it with a liquid such as warm cream. Provide an assortment of dippers like strawberries, bananas, marshmallows, pound cake, or cheesecake cut into bite-sized pieces.

Remember to prepare and organise all your ingredients before starting your fondue dinner. Cut the meat and vegetables into bite-sized pieces, peel and devein shrimp, and wash the potatoes. It's also a good idea to separate raw ingredients onto different plates to avoid cross-contamination.

Cooking tips

Fondue is a fun and interactive dining experience that can be a special occasion or a simple weeknight treat. Here are some cooking tips to ensure your at-home fondue dinner is a success:

Choose the Right Equipment:

• Invest in a good-quality fondue pot, either electric or heated over a flame. Consider the number of guests and get a pot with a large enough capacity.
• Ensure you have fondue forks or skewers for each guest. Colour-coded handles can be helpful to prevent mix-ups.
• Use fondue plates or serving platters for the raw and cooked foods.
• Have separate utensils for eating and cooking to avoid cross-contamination.

Prepare the Ingredients:

• Use high-quality cheese for the best flavour and melting texture. Good choices include Gruyère, Swiss cheese, Gouda, Fontina, and Emmental.
• Grate the cheese for quicker melting and a smoother fondue.
• Toss the cheese with cornstarch to thicken the fondue and prevent clumping.
• For cheese fondue, use a dry, high-acid white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, or an unoaked Chardonnay. Avoid low-quality wine as it will impact the taste.
• For a non-alcoholic option, substitute the wine with chicken or vegetable stock.
• Prepare a variety of dippers such as bread, apples, vegetables (raw or cooked), cured meats, shrimp, steak, and sausage.
• Cut meat and vegetables into bite-sized pieces for easy cooking and dipping.
• Marinate meats ahead of time to add extra flavour.

Cooking and Serving:

• Heat the oil or broth to the right temperature. For oil fondue, aim for 350-375°F.
• Place the fondue pot in the centre of the table, ensuring it is stable and out of reach of children.
• Arrange the dippers around the fondue pot within easy reach.
• Keep raw and cooked foods on separate plates to avoid cross-contamination.
• Use different utensils for raw and cooked foods.
• Cook foods in small batches to maintain the desired temperature.
• Be cautious when cooking with hot oil.
• Provide a variety of sauces to complement the fondue, such as spicy Thai ginger sauce, creamy horseradish sauce, mustard, and honey butter.
• Experiment with different sauce combinations to add excitement to your fondue night.

Frequently asked questions