Fondue For A Graduation Party: A Tasty Guide

Fondue is a fun and interactive way to eat with friends and family, and it can be a unique and memorable addition to any graduation party. The process involves melting cheese, chocolate, or other ingredients and dipping various foods into the mixture. Here are some tips and suggestions for creating a fondue spread that will impress your guests and make your graduation party a fondue success.

First, let's talk about the different types of fondue you can offer:

- Cheese fondue: The traditional recipe combines Alpine cheeses like Gruyère, Comté, or Fontina with white wine and nutmeg. You can also experiment with other cheeses, liquids, and additives like hard cider, cheddar, pilsner, or jalapeño.

- Broth/Oil fondue: This style involves cooking raw or par-cooked ingredients like meats, vegetables, or seafood in hot oil or flavoured broth. It's a fun way to cook and enjoy your food, but be cautious when working with hot oil.

- Chocolate fondue: Melted chocolate is a versatile base that goes well with a wide array of dippers. You can also add flavours like coconut, nut butter, or espresso infusions to elevate your chocolate fondue.

Now, let's discuss some important considerations and tips for creating a memorable fondue experience:

- Equipment: You'll need a fondue pot or an alternative like a double boiler, heavy-bottomed pot, or ceramic dish. Skewers, plates, napkins, and forks are also essential. If using a corded fondue pot, ensure you have extension cords to safely reach your power outlets.

- Dippers: Offer a variety of dippers to cater to different tastes and dietary preferences. For cheese fondue, consider bread, pretzels, apple slices, roasted vegetables, cured meats, and cooked pasta. For broth/oil fondue, meats, vegetables, and seafood are popular choices. Chocolate fondue pairs well with fruits, cakes, cookies, and even savoury items like pretzels or potato chips.

- Drinks: Beverage choices can enhance the fondue experience. For cheese fondue, beer, white wine, or herbal tea are classic pairings. Chocolate fondue goes well with sparkling wine, sherry, or tea.

- Fondue etiquette: Educate your guests on proper fondue etiquette to ensure a pleasant experience for all. No double dipping! Use the fondue fork only for dipping and transfer the food to a regular fork or plate before eating. Avoid using your fingers for dipping.

- Prep time and ingredients: Don't skimp on preparation time or ingredient quality. Cutting vegetables and preparing dips can be time-consuming, so allocate enough time for prep, especially if you're hosting a larger group. Source high-quality ingredients, including cheeses from a cheese shop if possible.

- International themes: Get creative and incorporate international themes into your fondue. Try a Mexican-inspired cheese fondue with jalapeños and Monterey Jack cheese or a Chinese hot pot with fragrant broth, choice cuts of meat, and vegetables.

How to Make Fondue for a Graduation Party

Choosing a style: cheese, broth/oil, or chocolate

Fondue is a great way to celebrate a graduation party, with its social nature and variety of delicious foods. When it comes to choosing a style, there are three main types to consider: cheese fondue, broth/oil fondue, and chocolate fondue. Each has its own unique appeal and offers a different experience for your taste buds.

Cheese fondue is a classic and popular choice, with the traditional Swiss cheese fondue being a favourite for many. It typically includes a combination of cheeses such as Gruyère, white wine, cracked black pepper, and nutmeg. However, there are endless possibilities for variations, such as zesty cheddar, spinach artichoke, or even a mix of Fontina, Cheddar, and Swiss cheese with pasta.

Broth/oil fondue, also known as meat fondue, is a fun and interactive option. It involves cooking small pieces of meat, poultry, or seafood in a pot of heated oil or broth. Each person cooks their own food by placing it on a long fondue fork and dipping it into the hot oil or broth. This style is perfect for those who want a more hands-on and engaging dining experience.

Chocolate fondue is a sweet and indulgent option, perfect for those with a sweet tooth. It typically involves melting chocolate and dipping various foods such as fruit, cake, or marshmallows. It is a great choice for dessert or as part of a larger spread that includes other types of fondue.

When choosing a style, consider the preferences of your guests, the equipment you have available, and the overall theme of your graduation party. Each style has its own unique appeal and can be customised to suit your tastes.

Picking a pot: ceramic, cast iron, XL, or copper

When it comes to picking a pot for your graduation party fondue, there are a few options to choose from, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Here's a breakdown of the different types of pots to help you make the best choice for your celebration:

Ceramic Pots

Ceramic fondue pots are ideal for cheese fondue as they distribute heat evenly, reducing the chances of your cheese burning. Their heavy and shallow design makes them a perfect choice for a traditional fondue experience. However, they are not recommended by all, as they are more fragile than other materials and may not be suitable if you plan on having a lively party with lots of movement around the table.

Cast Iron Pots

Cast iron fondue pots are a popular choice due to their heat retention capabilities. They are perfect for keeping your fondue at a steady temperature, ensuring your cheese or chocolate stays melted throughout the party. They are also easy to clean, making post-party cleanup a breeze. Cast iron pots often come in various colours, allowing you to choose one that fits your party's theme or your personal style.

XL Pots

If you're planning on hosting a large graduation party, an XL fondue pot might be the best option. These pots have a capacity of around 3 to 3.5 quarts, making them ideal for serving a big crowd. They usually come with multiple forks and sometimes even cups to hold dipping ingredients, ensuring your guests have everything they need to enjoy the fondue.

Copper Pots

Copper fondue pots offer a stylish and elegant option for your graduation party. They often come in sets with a stand and adjustable temperature control, allowing you to perfectly melt your cheese or chocolate and maintain the desired temperature. Copper pots can be more expensive than other options, but they add a touch of luxury to your celebration.

In conclusion, the type of pot you choose depends on your personal preferences and the size of your party. Consider the advantages of each material and choose the one that best suits your needs. Remember to always prioritise safety and stability when using fondue pots, especially if you're hosting a lively graduation celebration!

Preparing dippers: bread, apples, roasted veggies, meats, and more

When preparing dippers for a fondue graduation party, it's best to have a variety of options. You can start with the classics like bite-sized bread and apples, and then offer other options like roasted veggies, meats, and more.

For bread, it's recommended to use something crusty, like a baguette or sourdough. You could also try baking your own bread, such as brioche or milk bread. To prevent the bread from becoming soggy, it's best to serve it toasted.

If you're serving apples, it's best to use a tart variety like Granny Smith for savoury fondue, or a sweet and tart apple like Gala or Pink Lady for sweeter dips. To prevent browning, toss the apples with lemon juice.

Roasted veggies are a great, healthy option for fondue. You can roast vegetables like Brussels sprouts, potatoes, and cauliflower in olive oil with salt, pepper, and garlic. Other vegetables that can be served raw include cucumbers and carrots.

Meats such as beef tenderloin or rump steak cut into 1-inch cubes can be cooked in a fondue pot of hot oil. Other meat options include shrimp, sausage, steak, and cured meats like prosciutto.

Other dipper ideas include small boiled potatoes, French fries, cornichons, or small pickles. You can also offer a simple salad or fresh vegetables like asparagus and broccoli as a side.

Drinks pairing: beer, wine, or cocktails

When it comes to drinks pairing, there are several options to choose from, including beer, wine, and cocktails. Here are some ideas to elevate your graduation party and impress your guests:

Beer

If you're serving cheese fondue, a lightweight beer like a Kolsch, Pilsner, or New England IPA is an excellent choice. These beers pair perfectly with the cheese, providing a refreshing contrast to the rich and creamy fondue.

Wine

Wine can be a more challenging pairing with fondue, especially for reds. Crisp, dry white wines are generally a better match. A crisp dry white such as Swiss Chasselas or a Chignin or Roussette from Savoie are ideal choices. If you can't get your hands on these, other options include Muscadet, Chablis, dry Alsace Riesling, Austrian Riesling, or a young Grüner Veltliner.

If you prefer red wine, opt for a light-bodied variety such as a young red Burgundy, Gamay, or Dole. A Poulsard from the Jura region is also a great choice to complement the cheese fondue.

For chocolate fondue, a Pinot Noir or dessert wine is an unexpected but delightful pairing. The sweetness of the chocolate is balanced by the wine's acidity and fruitiness.

Cocktails

Kick things off with a festive cocktail like Kirsch Punch. Kirsch is a dry cherry brandy that is often added to cheese fondue recipes. Combine Kirsch with white wine, such as Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc, and cherry-flavored seltzer for a refreshing cocktail. Garnish with dried or brandied cherries and lemon slices.

For a unique and memorable cocktail hour, offer a Swiss aperitif like Poire Williams Eau de Vie, a pear brandy traditionally served after a fondue meal. It's a strong, clear brandy with a pear growing inside the bottle, sure to impress your guests!

Fondue etiquette: no double dipping, no fingers, no mouth-to-fork

Fondue is a fun and unique way to bring people together over delicious food. However, to ensure that everyone has a good time, there are some essential etiquette rules to follow when enjoying this communal dish.

Firstly, no double dipping! This is a major fondue party foul and will likely alienate your fellow diners. It is also unhygienic and spreads germs. Each guest should have their own fondue fork, and food should be slid off the fondue fork onto a plate before being eaten with a regular fork. This means no fingers and no mouth-to-fork!

When eating cheese fondue, the bread cube is removed from the fondue fork with the front teeth only, and the lips and tongue do not touch the tines. The fondue fork should be held still for a moment after dipping to allow any excess cheese to drip back into the pot and to give it time to cool.

For meat fondue, a piece of meat is speared and cooked in the hot oil until it reaches the desired level of doneness. The fondue fork is then placed on the plate, and a dining fork is used to slide the meat onto the plate. The meat can then be cut into smaller pieces and eaten with the regular fork.

By following these simple rules, you will ensure your fondue party is a fun and safe experience for all.

Frequently asked questions