Ruby Tuesday's Shrimp Fondue: A Recipe To Indulge

Ruby Tuesday's Shrimp Fondue is a popular dish that can be recreated at home with the right ingredients and a few simple steps. While there are variations of the recipe, the key components are a creamy cheese sauce, shrimp, and pico de gallo. The cheese sauce can be made with a combination of Alfredo sauce and shredded Swiss cheese, or a blend of cream, milk, and Parmesan. The addition of pico de gallo brings a burst of flavour and moisture to the fondue, and it can be substituted with finely diced tomatoes and onions if needed. With these ingredients and a few simple steps, you can create a delicious and indulgent shrimp fondue that's perfect for sharing with family and friends.

Ingredients

To make Ruby Tuesday's Shrimp Fondue, you'll need the following ingredients:

First, you'll need to get your hands on some shrimp. The recipe calls for baby shrimp, and you'll need about 6 ounces of it. You can either buy it pre-cooked, or cook it yourself; if you're cooking it yourself, you'll need to season it with Creole seasoning or Cajun seasoning to give it that Ruby Tuesday flavour.

Next up is the cheese. You'll need shredded Swiss cheese, and the recipe calls for about 12 ounces of it. You'll also need shredded Parmesan cheese, and the recipe suggests you'll need around 1 cup of this.

For the sauce, you'll need a jar of Alfredo sauce (a 15-ounce jar should do the trick). If you want to make your own Alfredo sauce, you can try using cream and milk as a base.

To add some spice and flavour, you'll need Pico de Gallo. You can either buy this pre-made or make your own by finely dicing tomatoes and onions. The recipe suggests you'll need about 1/3 to 1/2 a cup of Pico de Gallo.

Finally, to adjust the consistency of your fondue, you can add milk, half-and-half, or heavy cream.

Preparing the sauce

The sauce is the key component of Ruby Tuesday's Shrimp Fondue, and getting it right is essential to replicating the dish's unique taste. Here is a step-by-step guide to achieving the perfect fondue sauce:

Start by preparing your ingredients. You will need a jar of Alfredo sauce, preferably the Classico 4 Cheese variety, as this forms the base of your fondue. You will also need shredded Swiss cheese, which will be the star of the dish. Ensure you have enough cheese, as a generous amount is required for that signature Ruby Tuesday creaminess.

Pour the Alfredo sauce into a saucepan. Place the saucepan on your stovetop and turn the heat to medium. You want to gradually heat the sauce, not let it boil, so a medium heat setting is ideal. Stir the sauce gently as it heats to prevent it from burning or sticking to the pan.

Once the sauce is heated through and has a smooth consistency, it's time to add the cheese. Gradually sprinkle in the shredded Swiss cheese, stirring continuously as you do so. Adding the cheese slowly and stirring ensures that it melts evenly and smoothly, creating a rich and creamy texture.

Keep the sauce on low heat as you continue to stir and add cheese. The goal is to create a homogeneous mixture with the cheese fully incorporated. Taste the sauce as you go, and adjust the seasoning if needed. A pinch of salt and pepper can enhance the flavours.

If the sauce becomes too thick, you can thin it out by adding a small amount of milk, half-and-half, or heavy cream. However, be cautious not to add too much liquid, as you want to maintain the fondue's creamy consistency.

Once all the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy, you've successfully prepared the Ruby Tuesday Shrimp Fondue sauce! The sauce should be rich, flavourful, and inviting. Now, you're ready to add the shrimp and pico de gallo to create the complete fondue experience.

Adding the shrimp

Firstly, you will need to prepare the shrimp. For this recipe, you should use baby shrimp, which are smaller and more delicate in flavour. You will need around 6 ounces of shrimp, which you should cook in Creole seasoning to give it a nice kick of spice and a vibrant colour. The amount of Creole seasoning can be adjusted to your taste preferences, but a generous amount will ensure a good depth of flavour. Cook the shrimp until they are just done, being careful not to overcook them as this will make them rubbery. Once cooked, chop the shrimp into bite-sized pieces and set them aside.

The next step is to prepare the sauce. For this, you will need a jar of Alfredo sauce, which you will pour into a saucepan. To this, you will add shredded Swiss cheese, which is a key ingredient in the Ruby Tuesday's fondue. The amount of cheese can vary, but a good rule of thumb is to use around 12 ounces. Stir the mixture continuously over medium heat until all the cheese has melted and you have a smooth, creamy sauce.

Now it's time to add the shrimp to the sauce. Gently fold the shrimp into the sauce, stirring until they are well coated and heated through. Take care not to overcook the shrimp at this stage, as they will become tough. You may also add a little milk, half-and-half, or heavy cream to the mixture if it becomes too thick; this will help to create a richer, more indulgent fondue.

Finally, taste the fondue and adjust the seasoning as needed. If you like it spicier, you can add more Creole seasoning, and a pinch of black pepper can also enhance the flavour. At this stage, you can also add some finely chopped tomatoes and onions, or pico de gallo, to give it a fresh, tangy twist.

Seasoning and serving

The key to a well-seasoned shrimp fondue is balancing the flavours and adjusting to your taste preferences. Start by cooking the shrimp with Creole seasoning, which will infuse a punchy, spicy kick to the dish. You can chop the shrimp into smaller pieces if you prefer a finer texture or keep them whole for a heartier bite.

For the sauce, the combination of Alfredo sauce and shredded Swiss cheese creates a creamy, savoury base. Adjust the consistency by adding milk, half-and-half, or heavy cream if it becomes too thick. A splash of these dairy products will also add a subtle sweetness to the fondue. If you're feeling adventurous, you can experiment with different types of cheese, such as Emmental, to add a more complex flavour profile to the dish.

To enhance the flavour further, incorporate pico de gallo, a fresh and tangy addition. If pico de gallo is unavailable, you can easily substitute it with finely diced tomatoes and onions, adding a vibrant burst of colour and texture to the fondue. For an extra punch of flavour, consider adding a few spoonfuls of Farm Boy Steakhouse Garlic dressing and dip.

When serving, ensure the fondue is warm and inviting. You can serve it in a traditional fondue pot or a crockpot to keep it at the ideal temperature. Provide an assortment of dipping options such as bread cubes, crackers, or blanched vegetables. For a true Ruby Tuesday's experience, pair the shrimp fondue with a refreshing cocktail and enjoy the flavours of this delightful dish.

Recipe variations

There are several ways to vary the Ruby Tuesday Shrimp Fondue recipe to suit your taste preferences or dietary requirements. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Cheese selection: While the original recipe calls for shredded Swiss cheese, you can experiment with different types of cheese. For example, some people suggest using a combination of Swiss and Emmental cheese to enhance the flavour. You could also try using other types of cheese such as cheddar, mozzarella, or gouda, depending on your preference.
• Sauce options: The base sauce for this fondue is Alfredo sauce, and the recipe suggests using a four-cheese variety. However, you can explore different types of Alfredo sauce or even make your own from scratch. If you want to add some spice, consider using a jalapeno or chilli-infused Alfredo sauce.
• Shrimp alternatives: If you're not a fan of shrimp or want to make a vegetarian option, you can substitute it with other proteins or vegetables. For example, you could use chicken, tofu, or a variety of mushrooms. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
• Add-ins: The recipe includes pico de gallo, which adds a fresh flavour to the fondue. However, if you don't have pico de gallo, you can use finely diced tomatoes and onions instead. You can also experiment with other add-ins such as chopped green onions, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes.
• Cream variations: To adjust the consistency of the fondue, you can add milk, half-and-half, or heavy cream. If you prefer a smoother texture, consider using sodium citrate. Additionally, you can play around with different types of cream, such as sour cream or crème fraîche, to add a tangy twist.
• Seasonings: The recipe mentions Creole seasoning, but you can customise the dish by adding your own favourite herbs and spices. For example, you could try adding some garlic powder, paprika, or Italian seasoning to give it an extra kick.

Remember, these are just a few suggestions to get you started. Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and combinations to create your own unique variation of the Ruby Tuesday Shrimp Fondue.

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