Fondue: A Hearty Meal Or Just A Fun Snack?

Fondue is a Swiss dish that is typically considered a full meal. It consists of melted cheese and wine served in a communal pot, with bread, vegetables, or other snacks dipped into the cheese using long-stemmed forks. Fondue originated in 18th-century Switzerland as a way for farm families to stretch their limited resources during winter. It became popular in North America in the 1960s and is often associated with social gatherings and winter sports. While traditionally a Swiss dish, fondue has been generalised to other dishes, including chocolate fondue and fondue bourguignonne, where meat is cooked in hot oil or broth.

Fondue as a social meal

Fondue is a social meal, often shared among friends and family. It is a great way to bring people together and create a sense of community. The interactive nature of fondue, with everyone cooking and eating from the same pot, encourages conversation and a relaxed atmosphere.

Fondue is a Swiss dish, typically consisting of melted cheese and wine, served in a communal pot over a portable stove. It is eaten by dipping bread, vegetables, or other snacks into the cheese using long-stemmed forks. The social aspect of fondue is enhanced by the fact that it is usually served as a main course, making it a hearty and satisfying meal for all.

Fondue is also a very versatile dish, with various types of cheese, wine, and seasonings that can be used. It can be served with a variety of dippers, such as bread, vegetables, cured meats, and fruits like apples. Some people even add protein to their fondue, such as shrimp, sausage, or steak. Fondue can also be adapted to suit different dietary needs, for example by using potatoes instead of bread, or a fondue pot with a cord for easier access.

The social nature of fondue is further emphasised by the various traditions and rules that have evolved around the meal. For example, it is considered bad form to lose your bread in the cheese, and this may even result in a penalty such as washing the dishes or buying a round of drinks. Another rule is to always stir the fondue in a figure of eight. These traditions add a playful and interactive element to the meal, encouraging conversation and a sense of community.

Fondue is a meal that is meant to be savoured and enjoyed with others. It is a great choice for a cosy night in with friends or family, or even as a greeting for guests, with its warm and inviting atmosphere.

The history of fondue

Fondue, from the French "fondre", meaning "to melt", originated in 18th-century Switzerland as a way for farm families to make the most of their limited resources during the winter months. The earliest known recipe for the modern form of cheese fondue, which calls for grated or cut-up cheese to be melted with wine and dipped with bread, comes from a 1699 book published in Zurich. However, the name "cheese fondue" referred to a dish of eggs and cheese until the late 19th century. The first known recipe for the modern cheese fondue under that name, with cheese and wine but no eggs, was published in 1875 and was presented as a Swiss national dish.

The Swiss Cheese Union (Schweizerische Käseunion) popularised fondue as a Swiss national dish in the 1930s as a way of increasing cheese consumption. They also created pseudo-regional recipes as part of the "spiritual defence of Switzerland". After World War II, the Swiss Cheese Union resumed its campaign, sending fondue sets to military regiments and event organisers across Switzerland. Fondue is now a symbol of Swiss unity and is often associated with mountains and winter sports.

In the 1950s, the term "fondue" began to be used for other dishes in which food is dipped into a communal pot of hot liquid, such as chocolate fondue and fondue bourguignonne, in which pieces of meat are cooked in hot oil or broth. In the mid-1960s, Swiss restaurateur Konrad Egli invented chocolate fondue as part of a promotion for Toblerone chocolate. Fondue was introduced to Americans at the Swiss Pavilion's Alpine restaurant at the 1964 New York World's Fair and became popular in the US in the 1960s and 1970s.

How to host a fondue party

Fondue, from the French word "fondre", meaning "to melt", is a Swiss dish that consists of melted cheese and wine served in a communal pot. It is eaten by dipping bread, vegetables, or other snacks into the cheese using long-stemmed forks. Fondue has been a popular dish in Switzerland since the 18th century and was promoted as the Swiss national dish by the Swiss Cheese Union in the 1930s. It became popular in North America in the 1960s and has been a beloved party theme ever since. Here are some tips on how to host a groovy fondue party:

Choose a Style

Decide on the type of fondue you want to serve. The classic cheese fondue is always a good option, but you can also try broth/oil or chocolate fondue. If you're feeling adventurous, you can attempt two to three styles in one night, but for first-timers, it's best to stick with just one for ease and digestive comfort.

Select Your Ingredients

For a cheese fondue, choose a good melting cheese such as Gruyere, Fontina, Gouda, or a mix of cheeses. You'll also need a dipping liquid like wine, beer, or cider, and some garlic for flavour. For chocolate fondue, use bittersweet chocolate, heavy cream, sugar, butter, and even red wine. And for a broth/oil fondue, select your cooking oil or broth, and choose your raw meats, seafood, or vegetables to cook in the fondue pot.

Prepare Your Dippers

Classic dippers for cheese fondue include crusty bread, vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, or broccoli, and apples. For chocolate fondue, offer marshmallows, bananas, strawberries, pretzels, pound cake, or even potato chips for dipping. And for broth/oil fondue, provide beef cubes, sausage slices, shrimp, or meatballs, along with a variety of dipping sauces.

Set the Mood

Create a cozy atmosphere with tealight candles and a fireplace scene on the TV. Play some tunes and encourage your guests to dress up in vintage outfits if you're going for a 70s theme. Don't forget to provide each guest with a fondue fork and a regular appetizer fork, along with a small plate for their dippers.

Melt and Dip

Wait until your guests arrive to begin melting your fondue ingredients on the stove. Once they are fully warm, transfer them to your fondue pot and let your guests start dipping! Remind your guests to twirl their poker after each dunk to avoid drips and not to eat directly from the fondue fork.

Safety First

When cooking with hot oil, be sure to pat dry any items that will go into the oil to prevent splatters. Keep children and pets away from unattended oil pots, and never use water to put out an oil fire. Instead, cover the pot with a lid to reduce the oxygen supply. Fondue forks can get extremely hot, so remind your guests not to eat directly from them.

What to dip in fondue

Fondue is a Swiss dish that typically consists of melted cheese and wine, served in a communal pot. It is eaten by dipping bread, vegetables, or other snacks into the cheese using long-stemmed forks. Here are some ideas for what to dip in your fondue:

Bread

The classic fondue dipper, bread is usually the number one pick for cheese fondue because it soaks up all the cheesy goodness. Go for a crusty bread, like sourdough, or a simple, no-knead peasant bread. If you're feeling ambitious, you can even make your own fresh baguettes!

Vegetables

Raw or lightly steamed vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, cucumber, bell peppers, and asparagus can add a bit of freshness to your fondue spread. If you're using mushrooms, add them to the fondue first so they can sit in the hot cheese for a while and heat through.

Meat

Fondue is a great opportunity to add some protein to your meal. Try dipping cooked meats like sausage, steak, or meatballs, or cured meats like prosciutto, salami, or chorizo. For a vegetarian option, dip some crispy-on-the-outside, soft-and-tender-on-the-inside roasted potatoes into the cheese.

Fruit

Fruit and cheese are a classic combination, so why not try some fruit in your fondue? Crisp, tart Granny Smith apples and Bosc pears with cinnamon and nutmeg undertones are great choices.

Seafood

Lightly sweet and buttery grilled, roasted, or sautéed shrimp are a nice addition to a bold cheese fondue, especially when cooked with a bit of minced garlic and chopped parsley.

Other

Pickles, pretzels, chips, and even large pasta shapes are also great choices for dipping in fondue. Get creative and dip anything that sounds good with cheese!

The best time to eat fondue

Fondue is a Swiss dish that is typically enjoyed as a social meal when friends get together. It is a hearty meal, with melted cheese and wine served in a communal pot, and can be quite heavy and hard to digest. So, the best time to eat fondue is when you have company and are looking for a comforting, indulgent meal. It is traditionally considered a winter meal, but it can also be enjoyed outside during summer.

Fondue is a versatile dish that can be served as a starter, main course, or even as a greeting for your guests. If you're planning to serve it as a main course, a simple salad or some vegetables on the side can complement the richness of the fondue. You could also serve a soup, like spicy pumpkin soup, before the fondue to balance out the meal.

When hosting a fondue dinner party, it is important to have a variety of dippers or ingredients to cook in the fondue. The classics include bite-sized bread, apples, and cured meats. You can also add proteins like shrimp, sausage, and steak, as well as cooked or fresh vegetables. Don't forget to provide separate utensils for eating and cooking, and remind your guests about proper fondue etiquette, such as avoiding double-dipping.

To make the fondue, you'll need a fondue pot, and it's recommended to use a cordless one so it can be easily placed in the middle of the table. You can rub the pot with a cut garlic clove, add white wine, and then gently stir in grated cheese until it's melted. You can also add some kirsch for extra flavour. Keep the fondue warm enough to keep it smooth and liquid, but not too hot.

So, the best time to eat fondue is when you're looking for a cosy, social meal with friends or family. It's a fun and interactive dining experience that can be enjoyed during winter or summer, as long as you have good company and a variety of delicious ingredients to dip and cook in the fondue pot.

Frequently asked questions