Make Fondue With Kitchenaid: A Step-By-Step Guide

Fondue is a fun and communal dish that's great for sharing with friends and family. It's also incredibly easy to make – all you need is a simple flour and butter roux, some wine, and your choice of easy-melting cheese. You can use any type of cheese you like, but classic Swiss fondue is typically made with a mix of Gruyère and Emmental.

To make fondue, start by cooking your roux. Then, add some wine, bring it to a bubble, and remove from the heat. Next, add your choice of shredded cheese – the exact amount you use will depend on how cheesy you like your fondue! You can also add some nutmeg and grated garlic for extra flavour. Once your fondue is melted, transfer it to a small fondue pot and keep it warm with a candle or an electric heat source.

Now for the best part – the dippers! Fondue is traditionally served with cubed bread, but you can also dip vegetables, meat, or even fruit. Get creative and enjoy!

Fondue pots and equipment

Fondue Pots:

The fondue pot, also known as a caquelon, is the most crucial piece of equipment. The type of fondue pot you need depends on the type of fondue you wish to make. Here are some common varieties:

• Cheese fondue pots: Typically made of earthenware, with a flat bottom and large openings for dipping. They are designed to maintain a constant temperature to keep the cheese melted.
• Hot oil fondue pots: Made of stainless steel, copper, or cast iron to withstand very high temperatures without cracking. Ceramic pots are not suitable for hot oil fondue.
• Broth fondue pots: Similar to hot oil fondue pots in terms of material and design.
• Chocolate fondue pots: Usually smaller than standard fondue pots and often use a tealight to maintain the ideal temperature for melted chocolate. They are made of earthenware, ceramic, porcelain, or tempered glass.
• Electric fondue pots: These modern pots are versatile and can be used for all types of fondue. They are convenient, with adjustable temperature controls, but require access to an electrical outlet.

Fondue Fuel:

The choice of fuel depends on the type of fondue pot you have. Here are some common types of fondue fuel:

• Unscented tealights: Used for chocolate fondue to maintain the desired temperature. Ensure you have a supply of tealights on hand.
• Alcohol: A common fuel type, but take precautions when refilling the burner. Never refill while hot, and keep the fuel away from open flames and heat sources.
• Fondue gel: Similar to alcohol-based fuel but safer. Ensure your burner can accommodate gel fuel.
• Sterno: A well-known brand of fuel that is easy to use and extinguish.

Fondue Forks:

There are two main types of fondue forks:

• Meat and Cheese Fondue Forks: These have two or three prongs and long handles to prevent burns from hot oil, broth, or cheese.
• Dessert Forks: Shorter than meat and cheese forks, these are designed for dipping into melted chocolate without burning your fingers.

Fondue Plates:

Fondue plates have multiple compartments for dips and side dishes. You can experiment with different dips, raw and cooked meats, rice, salad, and more.

Dipping Trays:

Some fondue sets include a lazy Susan with small bowls or compartments for various dips and sauces. If your set doesn't have these, you can use small bowls or short glasses and rotate them throughout the evening.

Fondue dippers

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

Breads and Crackers

• Cubed or torn pieces of crusty 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, wheat crackers, pita chips, or tortilla chips.

Vegetables

• 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.
• Raw, steamed, roasted, or pickled vegetables.

Fruits

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

Meats

• Fully cooked bite-sized pieces of 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 like salami, chorizo, pepperoni, or soppressata.
• Shrimp, salmon, lobster tail, crab legs, or tuna.
• Bacon, especially baked bacon for crispness.

Other Savoury Options

• Potstickers, pickles, pasta (especially ravioli), or roasted jalapeño peppers.
• Large pasta shapes with nooks and crevices, such as shells, fusilli, or rigatoni.
• Chips, including bagel chips, onion rings, or tater tots.
• Soft pretzels.

Sweet Treats

• Cookies, such as Danish butter cookies or chocolate wafer rolls.
• Marshmallows.
• Berries, bananas, or other fruits.
• Chocolate, melted and served with dippers.

How to make cheese fondue

Cheese fondue is a fun and indulgent dish that's perfect for entertaining. It's also surprisingly easy to make! Here's a step-by-step guide to help you create the perfect cheese fondue using a KitchenAid:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb Swiss cheese, shredded
• 1/2 lb Gruyere cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch (or flour)
• 1 clove garlic, peeled and halved
• 1 cup dry white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon brandy or kirsch (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard or Dijon mustard (optional)
• Freshly ground nutmeg, to taste
• Salt, to taste
• Assorted dippers: bread cubes, apples, vegetables, meat, etc.

Instructions:

• Prepare your KitchenAid stand mixer by equipping it with the shredder or grater attachment.
• Cut the Swiss cheese and Gruyere cheese into blocks that will fit into the feed tube. With the mixer on, use the pusher to feed the cheese blocks into the shredder/grater to shred or grate the cheese. Repeat this process for both types of cheese.
• In a small bowl, combine the shredded/grated cheeses with the cornstarch or flour. Toss until the cheese is evenly coated.
• Rub the inside of your fondue pot or a medium saucepan with the garlic clove. This will add a subtle garlic flavour to your fondue.
• Add the white wine and lemon juice to the pot. Heat this mixture over medium heat until it reaches a gentle simmer.
• Gradually add the cheese mixture to the simmering liquid, stirring constantly. Adding the cheese slowly and stirring continuously will ensure a smooth and creamy fondue.
• Once all the cheese has been added and melted, stir in the brandy or kirsch (if using), mustard (if using), and nutmeg to taste.
• Season the fondue with salt, to taste.
• Transfer the fondue to your KitchenAid slow cooker to keep it warm and melted. Alternatively, you can use a fondue set with a burner to keep the fondue warm.
• Serve the fondue with an assortment of dippers such as bread cubes, apple slices, blanched vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, asparagus), cooked potatoes, meat, or anything else you desire!

Tips:

• For the best results, use good-quality cheese. Fontina, Gruyere, and Gouda are excellent choices for fondue.
• Grating the cheese instead of chopping it will help it melt faster and create a smoother fondue.
• Cornstarch helps thicken the fondue and prevents clumping. If you don't have cornstarch, you can use flour, but cornstarch is preferred for its gluten-free properties and minimal aftertaste.
• White wine is essential for keeping the fondue smooth and creamy. Choose a dry, high-acid wine such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, or an unoaked Chardonnay.
• If your fondue becomes too thick, simply stir in a small amount of heated wine to adjust the consistency.

How to make chocolate fondue

Chocolate fondue is a fun, indulgent, and interactive way to end a meal with friends and family. It's also incredibly easy to make! Here's a step-by-step guide to creating a delicious chocolate fondue with your KitchenAid appliances.

Ingredients

• 12 oz of chopped milk or dark chocolate
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons of chocolate liqueur
• Fresh berries, bananas, marshmallows, cookies, and other treats for dipping

Instructions

• Prepare the Ingredients: Start by measuring and preparing all your ingredients. Chop the chocolate into small, even pieces to ensure it melts smoothly. Gather your desired dippers and arrange them on a platter or board.
• Heat the Cream: Add cream to a small saucepan and place it on your KitchenAid cooktop. Turn the heat to low and warm the cream until it is steaming. Be careful not to let it boil.
• Add Chocolate and Flavorings: Once the cream is steaming, remove it from the heat. Add the vanilla extract, chocolate liqueur, and chopped chocolate. Use a KitchenAid hand mixer or whisk to combine the ingredients until the chocolate has completely melted and the mixture is smooth.
• Transfer to Fondue Pot: Transfer the chocolate fondue to a fondue pot. If using a candle-heated pot, light the candle to keep the fondue warm. If using an electric pot, turn it on to a low setting.
• Serve and Enjoy: Place the fondue pot on the table along with the platter of dippers. Provide each guest with a fondue fork or skewer and let them dip and enjoy!

Tips and Variations:

• For a thicker fondue, add more chocolate. For a thinner consistency, add a small amount of cream or milk.
• Get creative with your dippers! Offer a variety of options such as fresh strawberries, banana slices, marshmallows, pretzels, cookies, pound cake cubes, or even churros.
• For a boozy fondue, add a splash of your favorite liqueur, such as Grand Marnier, Baileys, or amaretto.
• If you're short on time, you can make chocolate fondue in your KitchenAid Stand Mixer. Simply combine the chocolate, cream, and flavorings in the mixing bowl and use the heat function to melt everything together.

How to use fondue forks

Fondue is a fun and communal dish, perfect for sharing with friends and family. It's also incredibly easy to make! Once you've prepared your fondue, it's time to eat. But how do you use fondue forks?

Fondue forks are long-stemmed forks with two sharp tines. They are designed to be used with a fondue pot, allowing you to dip various foods into the melted cheese or chocolate. The forks are usually made of stainless steel and have heat-resistant handles to protect your hands from the hot fondue.

When using fondue forks, it's important to follow some simple etiquette rules. Each person should have their own fork to avoid double-dipping and ensure hygiene. Fondue forks are typically colour-coded, making it easy to identify which fork belongs to whom. Simply grab your fork and start dipping!

You can dip a variety of foods into the fondue, including bread, vegetables, meats, and fruits. For cheese fondue, bread cubes, vegetables, and meats are popular choices. For dessert fondue, fruits, marshmallows, and cookies are perfect for dipping.

It's important to note that fondue forks are not meant for eating directly from; instead, they are used to dip and transfer food to your plate or mouth. This ensures that the fondue stays at the right temperature and consistency.

So, whether you're enjoying a cheesy main course or a chocolatey dessert, fondue forks are an essential part of the fondue experience, making it easy and fun to enjoy this delicious and interactive meal.

Frequently asked questions