Fondue Fun: Using Pampered Chef's Accessory Set

The Pampered Chef Simple Additions Fondue Accessory Set is a great way to enjoy fondue with friends and family. The set includes a variety of dippers such as strawberries, pound cake, marshmallows, pretzels, and more. The fondue can be made in the microwave or on the stovetop, and the set is also dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup. In addition to the classic chocolate fondue, you can also experiment with different recipes like the Cool Creamy Chocolate Fondue or a German fondue made with a combination of Emmental, Gruyere, and Appenzeller cheeses. So, get your Pampered Chef Fondue Set and start dipping!

How to make a dessert fondue

Firstly, gather your ingredients. A simple chocolate fondue can be made with just three ingredients: chocolate, cream, and a pinch of salt. You can also add a little butter for a more mellow flavour. If you want to make a more adult version, you could add a spirit such as Amaretto or Bailey's Irish Cream. For a truly decadent fondue, you could use a combination of semi-sweet and milk chocolate.

Next, prepare your dippers. The beauty of fondue is that you can dip almost anything into chocolate and it will taste delicious. Fresh fruit such as strawberries, bananas, and raspberries are a great choice, as are store-bought treats like Oreos and Rice Krispie treats. If you want to make your fondue into more of a dessert, you could also dip pound cake, brownies, or even marshmallows.

Now it's time to make the fondue. Chop your chocolate into small pieces and combine with your chosen liquid (cream or milk) in a small bowl. Melt gently in a water bath or in the microwave on medium power for about two minutes. Stir until smooth, and add more liquid if you prefer a thinner consistency. Finally, add any flavourings, such as vanilla or a pinch of salt, and stir to combine.

Serve your fondue immediately, with your chosen dippers. If you are using the Pampered Chef Fondue Accessory Set, you can keep the fondue warm using the tea light included in the set. Enjoy!

What to dip in your fondue

Now that you've got your hands on the Pampered Chef Fondue Accessory Set, it's time to think about what delicious treats you can dip into your fondue. Here are some mouth-watering ideas to get you started:

Classic Combinations

Fondue is a fun and interactive way to enjoy food with family and friends. A classic combination for cheese fondue is crusty bread—think baguette, sourdough, or rye—which is perfect for soaking up all that cheesy goodness. You can also try different types of bread, such as pretzels or soft pretzel bites.

Fruits and Veggies

Fruits and vegetables are also excellent choices for dipping. Try crisp and tart Granny Smith apples, Bosc pears (their nutmeg and cinnamon undertones bring out the spices in many fondues), grapes, or tomatoes. For a touch of freshness, add some raw or lightly steamed broccoli or cauliflower. Bell peppers are another colourful and sweet addition—slice them into strips for easy dunking.

Meat Lovers

If you're a meat lover, you can dip cured meats like prosciutto, salami, or chorizo. Meatballs, beef, chicken, or vegetarian-friendly varieties are also tasty options. For something extra indulgent, try strips of juicy filet mignon skewered with bread.

Starchy Sides

Starchy sides like roasted potatoes, potato chips, or tater tots are perfect for scooping up fondue. Large pasta shapes with nooks and crannies, such as shells or fusilli, are another fun option.

Creative Ideas

For something a little different, try pickles, grilled shrimp, or even chocolate-covered bacon! If you're feeling adventurous, you can also dip your fingers, a spoon, or your whole hand into the fondue—we won't judge!

So, there you have it—a variety of delicious ideas to dip into your fondue. Now it's time to invite some friends over, heat up that fondue pot, and get dipping!

How to prevent fondue from burning

The Pampered Chef Simple Additions Fondue Accessory Set includes a white 4 1/2 inch square bowl with a stand, a 2 1/2 inch petite bowl, and four fondue forks. This set is microwave safe and hand washing is recommended.

• Keep the fondue warm at all times. Fondue that gets too cool will start to harden.
• Use a double boiler to prevent the cheese from scorching.
• Keep the fondue at a constant temperature. Avoid sudden changes in temperature to prevent the cheese from balling up or becoming stringy.
• Keep the fondue below the boiling point but above the melting point.
• If using a stove, use a low flame to heat the fondue.
• If the fondue becomes too thick, add a splash of wine or broth to thin it out.
• Stir the fondue constantly.

How to make chocolate fondue

The Pampered Chef Simple Additions Fondue Accessory Set includes a white 4.5-inch square bowl with a stand, a 2.5-inch petite bowl, and four fondue forks. The set is microwave safe and should be hand-washed. It is perfect for fondue parties, and you can use it with various fondue recipes, including chocolate fondue. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make chocolate fondue:

• Prepare your ingredients: semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips (or chopped chocolate bars), whole/2%/1% milk, and optional liqueur (such as chocolate liqueur, hazelnut liqueur, almond liqueur, orange liqueur, or coffee liqueur). You will also need tools like a fondue pot (or a saucepan and a serving dish), a chef's knife, a cutting board, measuring cups and spoons, and a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula.
• Gather your dippers: cookies (rolled wafers, biscotti, meringues, chocolate sandwiches, shortbread), other sweets (marshmallows, brownies, rice crispy treats, pound cake, graham crackers, doughnuts, madeleines), fresh fruit (strawberries, raspberries, bananas, apples, pineapple, orange segments), dried fruit (apricots, banana chips, apple chips, crystallised ginger), and savoury options (pretzels, crispy bacon, potato chips, Ritz crackers, peanut butter pretzels, sesame breadsticks, Cheetos, Wheat Thins, Triscuits, pita chips).
• Cut your dippers: Wash and dry the fruit. Cut everything into bite-sized pieces, except for items that will be dipped by hand, such as rolled wafer cookies.
• Arrange your dippers: Place all the dippers on a platter or divide them onto two platters for easier access on both sides of the fondue pot. If using any garnishes like flaky salt or chopped nuts, place them in small bowls.
• Prepare the chocolate: If using chocolate bars, chop 10 ounces of chocolate into pea-sized pieces.
• Heat the dairy: In a small saucepan, heat 1/2 cup of heavy cream and 1/2 cup of milk over medium-low heat until it gently simmers.
• Add the chocolate: Remove the dairy from the heat and add the chocolate. You will need a 1:10 ratio of dairy to chocolate to prevent the mixture from becoming grainy or separating. Let it sit for about 2 minutes.
• Stir until smooth: Use a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula to stir the mixture until the chocolate is completely melted and the fondue is smooth. If desired, stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of liqueur.
• Transfer to a fondue pot: Pour the fondue mixture into a fondue pot. If you don't have a fondue pot, you can use a saucepan and transfer the fondue to a serving dish, or serve directly from the saucepan.
• Serve and enjoy: Light the fondue fuel and enjoy dipping your prepared treats into the chocolate fondue. If the fondue becomes too thick or grainy, turn off the fuel and stir in milk, a teaspoon at a time, until it smooths out.

How to make cheese fondue

Ingredients:

• 500 g Camembert
• 400 g Gruyère
• 400 g Vacherin Fribourgeois
• 625 ml dry white wine
• 6 teaspoons cornflour (US: cornstarch)
• 3 tablespoons Kirsch
• 2-3 small cloves of garlic
• Freshly ground pepper
• 1 loaf of crusty bread (white or brown bread, or a mix), cut into bite-sized cubes
• Boiled small new potatoes
• Pickled corn and/or pickled onions

Method:

• Remove the rind from the Camembert and chop the soft cheese into small cubes.
• Cut the Gruyère and Vacherin Fribourgeois into small cubes.
• Heat the wine in a large fondue pot—such as the Pampered Chef Fondue Pot—until it starts to simmer.
• Add the cheese and use a large whisk to slowly melt the cheese into the wine.
• In a separate bowl, mix together the cornflour and Kirsch.
• Once the cheese has fully melted into the wine, slowly whisk in the cornflour and Kirsch mixture. You may not need to use it all—use enough until you have a thick consistency, but still light enough to easily coat a piece of bread. If your fondue is too thick, simply thin it with some more white wine.
• Add the garlic cloves and season with some pepper.
• Serve the fondue immediately on a stand over a medium flame.
• Make sure to stir the fondue constantly so that it remains emulsified. As you dip your bread into the cheese, swirl it around the pot to give the cheese a good mix and to coat your bread nicely.

Tips:

• For a classic Swiss cheese fondue, use a mix of traditional, firm mountain-style cheeses such as Gruyère, Emmentaler, and Appenzeller.
• The best all-around cheeses for fondue are fontina, Gruyère, and gouda.
• If you want to experiment with different types of cheese, you can substitute one or all of the varieties specified in this recipe. However, it is recommended to use no more than 2 to 3 different cheeses, preferably of French or Swiss origin. Some good varieties include Comté, Emmental, Beaufort, and Brie.
• Make sure to use a good-quality, dry white wine that you would be happy to drink. The wine does not need to be expensive, but it needs to taste good.
• If you want to make the fondue less alcoholic, you can cook off some of the alcohol in the white wine by letting it simmer for 3-5 minutes before adding the cheese. You can also omit the Kirsch or substitute it with grappa or whisky.
• If you don't want to use whole garlic cloves, simply rub one garlic clove all over the inside of the pot before starting.
• To make the fondue thicker, add more cornflour (cornstarch). To make it thinner, add more white wine.
• You can make the fondue ahead of time and reheat it before serving. It can be stored in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.

Frequently asked questions