Prepping Strawberries For Fondue: A Quick, Easy Guide

Preparing strawberries for fondue is simple and only requires a few steps. First, select fresh, bright strawberries with a firm and shiny appearance, avoiding any that are shrivelled or mouldy. Rinse the strawberries under running water and dry them thoroughly with a paper towel. Next, hull the strawberries by removing the green cap and pale flesh with a paring knife or strawberry huller. Finally, slice the strawberries into halves or quarters, depending on your preferred size for dipping. You can also freeze strawberries before using them for fondue, which can help them last up to six months.

Wash strawberries before eating

It is important to wash strawberries before eating them, as they may contain chemical residue, additives, wax, sand, dirt, or bugs. If you got your strawberries from a store, you don't know who has touched them or what kind of chemicals or manure might be on them from the farm.

However, strawberries are vulnerable to moisture, so it's important to dry them thoroughly after washing. One way to do this is to place them on a paper towel to dry. You can also use a blow dryer on a low setting for 30 to 40 seconds.

If you want to go the extra mile, you can try soaking your strawberries in a vinegar-water solution before drying them. This method has been found to extend their shelf life.

Puree strawberries

Pureeing strawberries is a simple process and a great way to prep strawberries for fondue. It is a quick and easy method that will give you a smooth and creamy texture, perfect for dipping. Here is a step-by-step guide to pureeing strawberries:

Step 1: Wash and Hull the Strawberries

Before you begin pureeing, make sure to wash your strawberries thoroughly under running water. Then, using a paring knife or a strawberry huller, remove the green leaves and hull from each strawberry. This step ensures that you only use the sweet, red fruit in your fondue.

Step 2: Cut and Prepare the Strawberries

After hulling, cut the strawberries into halves or quarters. This step will help the strawberries blend more easily and efficiently. If you are using fresh strawberries, you may want to remove any white cores, as they can be a bit tougher than the rest of the fruit.

Step 3: Choose Your Pureeing Tool

You can puree strawberries using a blender or a food processor. Both options will give you a smooth and creamy result. If you are using a blender, make sure to add a little liquid, such as water or juice, to help the blending process. A food processor may be a better option if you prefer a thicker consistency.

Step 4: Start Pureeing

Place the prepared strawberries into your chosen appliance and begin blending or processing. Blend the strawberries until they reach your desired consistency. For a smoother fondue, blend until the mixture is completely pureed and free of lumps. If you prefer a chunkier texture, pulse the strawberries to achieve a thicker consistency.

Step 5: Transfer to a Saucepan

Once you have achieved your desired consistency, transfer the pureed strawberries to a medium saucepan. At this stage, you can add other ingredients, such as cornstarch, to thicken the fondue further. Stir the mixture well to combine all the ingredients.

Step 6: Heat the Mixture

Place the saucepan on the stove and heat the strawberry mixture over medium heat. Continue heating and stirring the mixture until it reaches a boil. Allow it to cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until it thickens to your desired consistency.

Step 7: Add Final Touches and Serve

Once your strawberry fondue has thickened, you can add a little extra flavour, such as cherry juice or vanilla extract. Stir in your chosen ingredient, then remove the fondue from the heat. Let it cool down for a few minutes before serving.

Your pureed strawberry fondue is now ready to be enjoyed with your favourite dippers! This fondue pairs well with angel food cake, brownies, bananas, marshmallows, and more.

Add cornstarch to thicken

To prep strawberries for fondue, you'll want to thicken the mixture with cornstarch. Here's a detailed, step-by-step guide:

To start, you'll need to gather your ingredients: frozen strawberries (with sugar), cornstarch, maraschino cherry juice, and water. The cornstarch will help thicken the fondue, creating a delightful, dip-able consistency.

Begin by placing your frozen strawberries in a food processor or blender. Blend until they are pureed, ensuring a smooth consistency. Transfer this mixture to a medium saucepan.

In a separate, small bowl, combine the cornstarch and water. Whisk these together, and then stir this mixture into your strawberry puree. This step is crucial, as it ensures that the cornstarch is evenly distributed and prevents lumps from forming.

Now, it's time to bring your strawberry mixture to a boil. Continue cooking and stirring for 1-2 minutes while it boils, or until it thickens. The cornstarch will activate during this process, absorbing the liquid and causing the mixture to thicken.

At this point, your fondue should be delightfully thick and ready for the final touches. Stir in the cherry juice for some extra flavour, and then remove the fondue from the heat.

Your fondue is now ready to serve! Let it cool for a few minutes before transferring it to a serving bowl. This fondue pairs wonderfully with a variety of dippers, including angel food cake, bananas, brownies, marshmallows, and more!

Optional Serving Idea:

If you're feeling extra decadent, you can also serve your fondue with a dollop of whipped cream. You can either add a small amount of whipped cream directly into the fondue and mix it in or provide it as a separate dip for your fondue-covered treats. Either way, the combination of strawberry fondue and whipped cream is sure to impress!

Heat fondue on low

Heating your fondue on low is a crucial step in the fondue-making process. It's important to note that you should not let your fondue come to a simmer or a boil, as this can scorch the mixture and result in a grainy texture.

To heat your fondue, start by combining the fondue ingredients in a saucepan or a stovetop-proof fondue pot. Place the pot on the stove over low heat and stir occasionally to prevent the mixture from burning. Keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn't boil or simmer.

Once the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is glossy, thick, and smooth, remove it from the heat. At this point, you can stir in any additional ingredients, such as vanilla extract or cherry juice, for extra flavour.

If you want a thinner consistency, you can adjust it by gradually whisking in additional cream, milk, or water until the desired consistency is achieved. However, it's easier to make the fondue thinner than thicker, so start with a small amount of liquid and gradually add more as needed.

After you've achieved the perfect consistency, transfer the fondue to a warm dessert fondue pot or a small slow cooker to keep it warm while serving. If you don't have a fondue pot, you can use a regular pot and place it on a heating pad or over a bowl of hot water to stay warm.

Serve with dippers

When it comes to serving your fondue, there are endless options for dippers. You can go for the classic fruit option, with fresh strawberries, bananas, mandarin oranges, raspberries, kiwis, pineapple, peaches, plums, apricots, pears, or even dried fruits like figs, mangoes, or pineapple.

If you're looking for something a little sweeter, you can dip brownies, marshmallows, rice krispie treats, angel food cake, pound cake, or even ladyfingers. For a more indulgent treat, try dipping chocolate squares or wafers.

If you're feeling creative, you can also experiment with different types of cookies, such as Nilla wafers, Oreos, or animal crackers. Whatever you choose, make sure to cut your dippers into bite-sized pieces so they're easy to dip and eat.

Frequently asked questions