Cheese Fondue: Spicy, Melty, And Delicious

Fondue is a Swiss dish that gained popularity in the US in the 1960s and remains popular today. It is traditionally made with a blend of firm, mountain-style cheeses such as Gruyere, Emmental, and Appenzeller. To make a spicy cheese fondue at home, you will need shredded sharp cheddar, milk, vegetable broth, garlic, hot sauce, whole-grain Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and cornstarch. You can also add some diced or sliced vegetables, apples, and bread to dip into the fondue. The steps to make the fondue include tossing the cheese in cornstarch, heating the milk, broth, and garlic, adding the spices and cheese, and serving with your choice of dippers.

Choosing the right cheese

The best cheese for fondue is a buttery, creamy cheese that melts smoothly. The cheese you choose will have a huge impact on the final product, so it's worth investing in good-quality cheese.

The best all-around cheeses for fondue are fontina, Gruyère, and gouda. If you're unsure what to pick, use even amounts of these three. Together, they create a lush and complex fondue.

For a classic Swiss cheese fondue, a mix of traditional, firm mountain-style cheeses is best. Gruyere cheese, Swiss cheese, and gouda all qualify. You can also add Emmentaler, Vacherin Fribourgeois, Appenzeller, and Raclette, depending on your preferences.

If you want to add a spicy kick to your fondue, you can use sharp cheddar cheese as the base. This creates a wonderfully cheesy fondue with a nice kick—perfect for a tailgate or homegate.

Other good choices for a spicy fondue include marbled cheddar and Monterey Jack. You can also add some mild cheddar if you're not a fan of the sharp variety.

Remember to grate the cheese instead of chopping it. Grated cheese melts faster and more evenly, resulting in a smoother fondue.

Preparing the cheese

The key to a good fondue is in the preparation of the cheese. You'll want to use good-quality, creamy, buttery cheese that melts smoothly. The best options are fontina, Gruyère, and gouda, but you can also use Swiss cheese, cheddar, Comté, Emmentaler, raclette, or vacherin.

Before you begin, grate the cheese. Grated cheese melts faster and more evenly than chopped cheese, resulting in a smoother fondue. You can use a food processor with a grater blade or a coarse box grater or microplane grater.

Once grated, toss the cheese with cornstarch or flour. This will help thicken the fondue and prevent the cheese from clumping. Make sure to coat the cheese thoroughly.

If you're making a spicy fondue, you can add some hot sauce or spices to the cheese mixture. You can also add a bit of garlic for extra flavour.

Now you're ready to start melting the cheese! Add your cheese to a fondue pot or a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir constantly to ensure a smooth fondue. If you're using multiple types of cheese, add them in small amounts, stirring well between each addition.

Once the cheese is melted, you can add some extra flavourings like brandy, cognac, cherry brandy, mustard, nutmeg, or pepper. Stir everything together, and your spicy cheese fondue is ready to serve!

Selecting a wine

Type of Wine

The best type of wine to pair with cheese fondue is typically a dry white wine with high acidity. The acid in the wine helps to cut through the richness of the cheese and keeps the fondue smooth. Look for wines like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, or an unoaked Chardonnay. These wines will complement the creaminess of the cheese without being overpowered by the spices.

Quality of Wine

It is important to choose a good-quality wine for your fondue, as the taste of the wine will directly impact the taste of the dish. You don't have to spend a fortune, but select a wine that you would enjoy drinking with dinner. A wine with a good balance of flavours and aromas will enhance your fondue experience.

Alternative Options

If you want to explore alternative options, you can try a beer cheese fondue by swapping the wine with your favourite beer, especially if you are using a cheddar cheese base. For a non-alcoholic option, you can substitute the wine with unsalted chicken or vegetable stock. Additionally, you can add a splash of fortified wine or liqueur to enhance the flavour of your fondue. Brandy, Cognac, or Kirsch (a cherry brandy) are excellent choices that will add a subtle fruity note to your spicy cheese fondue.

Adding extra ingredients

Spices and Seasonings:

Fondue is a great opportunity to experiment with different spices and seasonings. In addition to the traditional nutmeg, you can try adding some ground black pepper, fresh herbs, or a swirl of mustard. A pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes can add a nice kick to your fondue. You could also try smoked paprika, which will give your fondue a smoky flavour.

Meat:

Adding some cooked meat to your fondue can make it more substantial and satisfying. Try dicing up some cooked chicken, bacon, or sausage and adding it to the pot. Just be sure that any meat you add is fully cooked before putting it into the fondue, as the fondue pot is meant to keep the cheese warm, not cook the ingredients.

Vegetables:

While the classic fondue dippers include vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots, you can also add these directly into your fondue. Just be sure to blanch or lightly steam any vegetables before adding them, so they are tender but still have some bite. This can add some extra texture and flavour to your fondue.

Mushrooms:

Sautéed mushrooms can be a wonderful addition to your fondue. Try using a variety of mushrooms like cremini, shiitake, or oyster mushrooms for a more complex flavour. Again, just be sure to cook the mushrooms before adding them to the fondue pot.

Onions and Garlic:

For a more savoury fondue, you can add some finely chopped onions and garlic to your fondue. Sauté them until they are soft and translucent before adding them to the pot. This will give your fondue a heartier flavour.

Chilli Peppers:

If you want to make your fondue even spicier, consider adding some chopped chilli peppers. You can use fresh or dried chillies, depending on your preference. Just be careful not to add too much, as you don't want to overpower the cheese flavour.

Remember, when adding extra ingredients to your fondue, it's important to taste as you go and adjust the amounts as needed. You don't want to overwhelm the delicate flavour of the cheese, so add ingredients in small amounts and gradually build up the flavour.

Choosing dippers

Choosing the right dippers for your spicy cheese fondue is essential to elevate the experience. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Bread: Bread is a classic dipper for a reason. Go for crusty, cubed French bread, sourdough, or pumpernickel. The crunch of the bread and the melted cheese is a match made in heaven.

Fruits: Tart apples like Granny Smith add a refreshing contrast to the rich fondue. You can also try apple and pear slices, adding a touch of sweetness to your spicy fondue.

Vegetables: There are plenty of options when it comes to vegetables. Try steamed broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, asparagus, or cherry tomatoes. Bell peppers, especially the red variety, also make for colourful and crunchy dippers.

Meat: Bacon and cooked sliced sausage are meaty options that pair well with the cheese. Just make sure the bacon is nice and crisp so it doesn't break off into the pot.

Potatoes: Baby potatoes, either roasted or boiled, are a great choice. You can also try steamed red-skinned potato chunks for a colourful and tasty dipper.

Other options: If you want to get creative, try pickles, especially cornichons, which are the perfect size for dipping. Crudites like carrots, cherry tomatoes, and sliced red bell peppers will also add a nice crunch.

Remember, the key to choosing dippers is to offer a variety of textures and flavours that will complement the spicy cheese fondue. So, feel free to experiment and have fun with your choices!

Frequently asked questions