Fondue Fun: A Beginner's Guide To Melty Deliciousness

Fondue is a fun and interactive way to serve food for a small group. It can be used for cooking meat or seafood, or for preparing different types of dipping sauces for almost any type of food. Fondue can be served as an appetiser, main course, or dessert. The type of fondue pot and utensils you use will depend on the type of fondue you are making, and there are specific safety procedures to follow.

How to Use a Fondue

How to prepare a fondue pot

Fondue is a great way to bring people together. Whether you're hosting a party or enjoying a romantic evening, it's important to prepare your fondue pot correctly for the best experience. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to prepare a fondue pot:

• Choose the Right Fondue Pot: Select a fondue pot that suits your needs. For meat fondue, stainless steel pots are ideal, while for cheese fondue, earthenware or ceramic pots are commonly used. Ensure your pot has a sturdy handle and a stable base.
• Prepare the Ingredients: Before turning on the heat, gather all the ingredients you need for your fondue. This could include cheese, bread, meat, vegetables, or chocolate, depending on the type of fondue you plan to make.
• Season the Fondue Pot (for Cheese Fondue): If you're using an unglazed clay pot for cheese fondue, season it before use by rubbing the inside with a cut clove of garlic. This adds flavour to the cheese. You can also rub the inside of the pot with garlic to prevent the cheese from sticking.
• Heat the Fondue Pot: Depending on the type of fondue, you can heat the pot on a stovetop or use a heat source like an alcohol burner or an electric pot. For meat fondue, heat the oil or broth to the desired temperature. For cheese fondue, heat the pot on the stove and then transfer it to the tabletop heat source to keep it warm.
• Adjust the Temperature: Maintain the right temperature for your fondue. Cheese fondue should be served at around 120 degrees Fahrenheit to melt the cheese without burning it. Meat fondue requires higher temperatures, with oil heated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and broth simmered at around 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Prepare the Dipping Items: While your fondue pot is heating up, prepare any dipping items. For cheese fondue, cut bread into 1-inch cubes and leave them out for a few hours to harden, making it easier to dip and prevent the bread from falling off the fondue fork. For meat fondue, ensure your meat is cut into bite-sized pieces.
• Add the Ingredients: Once your fondue pot is heated, slowly add your ingredients. For cheese fondue, add the cheese mixture to the heated wine and lemon mixture, stirring slowly in a zig-zag pattern. For meat fondue, heat the oil or broth and prepare the meat for cooking.
• Stir and Serve: Keep your fondue mixture well-stirred to prevent it from scorching. Serve your fondue with a variety of dipping items, following any traditional rituals or rules you prefer. Enjoy your fondue with family and friends!

Remember to always prioritise safety when using a fondue pot. Use heat pads, wooden cutting boards, or ceramic tiles to protect your table from the heat. Never leave the fondue burner unattended, and keep flammable materials away from the heat source.

Fondue cooking times

Meat Fondue:

• Beef: For rare beef, cook for 15-20 seconds. For medium-rare, cook for 25-30 seconds. For well-done beef, cook for 40-45 seconds.
• Fish: Cook for approximately 30-50 seconds.
• Seafood: This usually takes a bit longer than fish, around 2-3 minutes.
• Lamb: Lamb needs to be cooked for about 1 minute.
• Poultry: Cook poultry for around 2 minutes.
• Vegetables: These take the longest, requiring 3-5 minutes of cooking time.

Cheese Fondue:

Cheese fondue does not require a lot of cooking, but it is important to heat the cheese slowly and keep it below the boiling point. The ideal serving temperature for cheese fondue is around 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Chocolate Fondue:

Chocolate fondue does not require cooking, but it is important to melt the chocolate and cream mixture over a double boiler and keep it warm in the fondue pot.

Safety Tips:

When using a fondue pot, it is important to follow safety guidelines to prevent accidents. Here are some key tips:

• Do not leave the pot unattended while cooking.
• Avoid filling the pot more than one-third full to prevent oil splattering.
• If a fire starts, do not use water to put it out. Instead, use the lid to cover the pot and cut off the oxygen supply.
• Always use a trivet to protect your table from the heat of the pot.
• Do not use a fondue fork for eating, as it can be too hot and can spread germs.

How to clean a fondue pot

Firstly, allow the fondue pot and its contents to cool completely. This is important for your safety, to prevent burns. Once the contents are cool, use a spatula to remove as much of the leftover food from the pot as possible. Dispose of any used oil by pouring it into a container, sealing, and throwing it in the trash. Do not pour oil down the drain as it can cause plumbing problems.

Next, heat a pot of water on the stove until it almost reaches a boil. Add several drops of dishwashing liquid to the fondue pot, which should be sitting in the sink, and fill it with the heated water. Allow the pot to sit for 10 minutes. If there is burnt-on food, you may need to leave it to soak overnight. Periodically check to see if the food is beginning to loosen. Once the fondue pot has soaked, empty the water.

Use a scrub brush or sponge to loosen any stuck-on food. Be sure to avoid using anything too harsh that will scratch the surface of the fondue pot. Wash the entire pot in hot, soapy water, then rinse thoroughly with clean water, removing all soap residue. Finally, dry the pot.

If your fondue pot is made of ceramic, it is dishwasher-safe. You can put your ceramic pot inside the dishwasher. However, if your fondue pot has a burner, this will need to be cleaned separately. To clean the burner, use a damp cloth to wipe off the outer surface. If there are any stains, use a stainless-steel cleaner and a soft sponge to clean it.

Fondue dippers

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

For Cheese Fondue:

• Bread is a classic choice for dipping in cheese fondue. Go for something crusty like sourdough, French bread, or a baguette. Toasting your bread can help prevent it from falling apart when dipped in the cheese.
• Vegetables: Try asparagus, zucchini, artichoke hearts, mini sweet peppers, carrots, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, or mushrooms. You can serve these raw or roasted, steamed, or pickled—whatever suits your taste!
• Crackers or chips: Wheat crackers, pita chips, potato chips, and tortilla chips can add a crunchy texture to contrast with the creamy cheese.
• Fruit: Sliced apples, pears, and grapes go well with cheese fondue. Tart green apples are especially delicious!
• Meat: Fully cooked bite-sized pieces of meat can be dipped in cheese fondue. Try marinated sirloin, filet mignon, herb-roasted chicken, prime rib, mini meatballs, beef jerky, or miniature smoked sausages.
• Cured meats: Salami, chorizo, pepperoni, and soppressata can add a salty, spicy kick to your cheese fondue.
• Seafood: Cooked shrimp, salmon, lobster tail, crab legs, or tuna are delicious dipped in cheese fondue.
• Other ideas: Potstickers, pickles, pasta (especially ravioli), roasted jalapeño peppers, or roasted potatoes.

For Chocolate Fondue:

• Cake: Pound cake, angel food cake, or cheesecake are perfect for dipping in chocolate fondue.
• Fruit: Strawberries, bananas, pineapple, mango, kiwi, apples, grapes, cherries, peaches, or dried fruit. Chilling the fruit beforehand can help the fondue stick better.
• Cookies: Vanilla cookies or ladyfingers are great for dipping.
• Other ideas: Marshmallows, pretzels, or miniature muffins.

Remember to cut your dippers into bite-sized pieces before serving, and always ensure that your meat and seafood are fully cooked if your fondue is not hot enough to cook them through.

Fondue etiquette

The Basics

Fondue is a communal dish, so it's important to follow certain rules to ensure a pleasant experience for all. The most important rule is to avoid double-dipping, as this can spread bacteria and germs. Each person should have their own fondue fork, and food should be removed from the fondue fork with a regular fork before eating.

Drinks

In Switzerland, where fondue originated, it is customary to drink either white wine or tea with fondue. The acidity in the wine is said to aid digestion and prevent bloating. However, a study in The British Medical Journal found that alcohol may slow digestion, so if you want a comfortable evening, it's best to stick to tea.

Dipping

When dipping your food into the fondue, it is considered good etiquette to scrape the bottom of the pot in a zigzag or figure-eight motion. This ensures that everyone stirs the cheese and releases its full flavour. Allow any excess cheese to drip off before eating, to avoid making a mess.

La Religieuse

At the end of the meal, you will be left with a thin crust of golden cheese at the bottom of the pot. This is called "la religieuse" and is considered a delicacy. To enjoy it, wait for the pot to cool, then remove the layer with a knife and break it into pieces to share. Alternatively, crack an egg into the pot and mix it with the cheese.

Forfeits

If you accidentally drop a piece of food into the fondue pot, you may have to pay a forfeit, such as buying everyone a round of drinks. To avoid this, make sure your bread has some crust attached for structural stability, and don't submerge it for too long.

Frequently asked questions