The Art Of Making Swiss Fondue: A Traditional Recipe

Fondue is a simple, fun, and delicious meal that's best enjoyed with friends and family. It's especially popular during the holiday season and New Year's, but can be enjoyed all year round. The Swiss national dish is surprisingly easy to make and only requires a few simple ingredients. The most important part of making an authentic Swiss fondue is using the right blend of cheeses. The most common Swiss cheese fondues are made using a blend of Gruyère and Emmentaler, but other types of Swiss cheese such as Appenzeller, Vacherin Fribourgeois, and Raclette can also be used depending on regional preferences and personal taste. To make the fondue, the cheeses are melted with white wine and seasoned with garlic, nutmeg, and a splash of kirsch. The fondue is then served with a variety of dippers such as crusty bread, potatoes, apples, and pears.

Characteristics of Authentic Swiss Fondue

Choosing the right fondue set and fuel

When it comes to choosing the right fondue set and fuel, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, let's talk about the different types of fondue sets available. There are modern electrical models and traditional fuel-burning sets. If you're looking to make an authentic Swiss fondue, you'll want to go for a traditional fuel-burning set. These typically include an enameled cast iron fondue pot, a stand, forks, and a fuel holder.

Now, let's discuss fuel. The type of fuel you need will depend on the type of fondue you're making. For a cheese fondue, you'll need a higher temperature than what a tea light can provide. You can use a special fondue gel or liquid fuel, but always check what kind of burner fuel your fondue set is designed for. If your fondue set uses liquid fuel, you can use methyl hydrate (also known as wood alcohol) or denatured alcohol, which can be purchased at hardware stores. If your set uses gel fuel, you can find gel fuel cartridges or pourable gelled fondue fuel online or at specialty stores.

It's important to note that if you're using liquid fuel, you should pour about 90ml or 3oz into the burner and be careful not to spill any on the tablecloth. Always keep an extinguisher nearby when using an open flame indoors. Additionally, make sure to adjust the burner flame so the fondue maintains a gentle bubble.

When it comes to the fondue pot itself, a steel or cast iron medium-sized pot (2-quart) with an enameled interior is ideal. This type of pot allows for better heat distribution and can sit over a flame for an extended period without burning the cheese.

Lastly, don't forget to check online reviews before purchasing your fondue set to ensure you're getting a quality product that's perfect for your Swiss fondue!

Selecting the best cheeses

The most common and traditional Swiss cheeses used in fondue are Gruyère and Emmentaler. These cheeses are known for their creamy, buttery texture and their ability to melt smoothly, making them ideal for fondue. When combined in a half-and-half ratio, they create a rich and flavourful base for your fondue.

However, you can also add other Swiss cheeses to enhance the flavour and create variety. Some popular options include Appenzeller, Vacherin Fribourgeois, and Raclette. These cheeses will add depth and complexity to your fondue, and you can adjust the quantities based on your personal preference and the regional variation you are aiming for.

It is important to use good-quality cheeses, preferably a mix of mostly aged cheeses with a harder texture, such as aged Gruyère or aged Gouda, and some younger, softer cheeses like young Gouda or Emmentaler. This combination ensures a well-rounded flavour and a smooth, creamy texture.

If you're looking for a more rustic fondue, you can even add in some high-quality cheddar and beer! This non-traditional twist can be a delightful surprise for your taste buds.

Remember to grate or shred your cheeses before melting them to ensure even melting and a lump-free fondue.

With the right combination of cheeses, you'll be well on your way to creating an authentic and delicious Swiss fondue.

Preparing the ingredients

• Cheese: Gruyère, Emmenthaler (or Emmentaler), Appenzeller, and other Swiss cheeses like Vacherin Fribourgeois, Raclette, or Bergkäse.
• Wine: Dry white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, or unoaked Chardonnay.
• Kirsch: A Swiss cherry liquor or brandy, also known as Kirschwasser.
• Bread: Crusty, rustic sourdough, French, or Tuscan bread, cut into large cubes.
• Spices: Garlic, cornstarch, lemon juice, nutmeg, and black pepper.
• Dippers: In addition to bread, you can use steamed or boiled potatoes, apples, cornichons, salami, or pickled onions.

The quantities of each ingredient will depend on the specific recipe you follow and the number of servings you want to make.

Once you have gathered all the ingredients, you can start preparing them. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Combine the cheeses: In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the shredded or grated Gruyère, Emmenthaler, and Appenzeller cheeses. You can also add in other Swiss cheeses of your choice.
• Toss with flour or cornstarch: Add some all-purpose flour or cornstarch to the cheese mixture and toss to combine. This step helps to stabilize the cheese and prevent it from becoming too runny or lumpy.
• Rub the fondue pot with garlic: Cut a garlic clove in half and rub the inside of your fondue pot with the cut side. This step adds a subtle garlic flavour to the fondue.
• Prepare the dippers: Cut the bread into large cubes and arrange them on a platter. If using other dippers like potatoes, apples, or salami, prepare and cut them into bite-sized pieces.
• Measure the liquids: Measure out the dry white wine and Kirsch separately. You may also want to squeeze fresh lemon juice from a lemon if your recipe calls for it.

With all your ingredients prepared and measured, you are now ready to start making your authentic Swiss fondue!

Cooking the fondue

To cook the fondue, you'll need to start by preparing your ingredients. The traditional Swiss fondue recipe calls for a combination of Gruyère, Emmentaler, and Appenzeller cheeses, but you can also add in other Swiss cheeses like Vacherin Fribourgeois, Appenzeller, and Raclette depending on your preference. You'll also need some dry white wine, cornstarch or flour, lemon juice, kirsch (a Swiss liquor), garlic, and black pepper. You may also want to add a pinch of nutmeg and some fresh herbs or mustard for extra flavour.

Once you have all your ingredients, start by combining the grated cheese with the cornstarch or flour and lemon juice in a medium-sized bowl. Toss to coat the cheese evenly. Next, take a fondue pot or a medium enameled cast-iron casserole pot and rub the inside with the cut garlic clove. You can discard the garlic after this.

Now, it's time to start cooking! Add the wine to the pot and heat it over medium heat until it's hot but not boiling. Then, stir in the lemon juice and kirsch. At this point, you can also add a pinch of nutmeg if you like.

Here comes the fun part—adding the cheese! Add a handful of the cheese mixture at a time to the wine mixture, stirring constantly. Make sure each addition of cheese is completely melted and has a light, creamy texture before adding more. Keep doing this until all your cheese has been added and you have a smooth, creamy fondue.

Finally, season your fondue with black pepper and a little more nutmeg if desired. Give it a final stir, and your fondue is ready to serve! Serve it immediately with plenty of crusty bread cubes, steamed potatoes, sliced apples, or any other dippers of your choice. Enjoy your delicious, authentic Swiss fondue!

What to serve with fondue

There are many options for what to serve with fondue, but it is important to note that traditionally, only chunks of bread are dipped into a Swiss cheese fondue. Here are some ideas for what to serve with your fondue:

Bread

Bread is a classic accompaniment to fondue, as it soaks up all the cheesy goodness. Go for a crusty, rustic loaf, such as sourdough or a French baguette. You could also try Tuscan bread or a simple, no-knead peasant loaf.

Fruit and Vegetables

Fruit and vegetables can also be dipped into fondue. Try apples, pears, steamed broccoli or cauliflower, bell peppers, or blanched vegetables. Fruit brings a bit of freshness to the dish, while vegetables add a crunchy texture.

Meat

If you're looking for something more substantial, you could try dipping meatballs, beef, chicken, or salami into your fondue. Poached chicken is a particularly good option as it is a blank canvas that can be dressed up in the cheeses and spices of your choosing.

Other Options

Other options for dipping into fondue include large pasta shapes, such as shells or fusilli, roasted potatoes, cornichons, or pickles. Get creative and dip your favourite foods into the cheesy goodness!

Frequently asked questions