Delicious Foods Perfect For A Fondue Party

Cheese fondue is a fun, communal dish that can be served at parties or get-togethers. While crusty bread is the classic pairing, there are many other foods that can be dipped into a fondue.

For those who want to stick to the traditional, apples, broccoli, cauliflower, and potatoes are all good options. For a more indulgent treat, pretzels, tortilla chips, and crackers can be dipped into the cheese. If you want to add some protein to your meal, meatballs, shrimp, and sausage are also fondue-friendly.

Bread

Different types of bread will give you different experiences with your fondue. A crusty French bread or baguette will provide a nice contrast of textures with the soft, melted cheese. Sourdough has a tangy flavour that can complement the creaminess of the fondue. Pumpernickel bread, with its slightly sweet and nutty taste, can also be a delicious choice. For a heartier option, go for a rustic peasant loaf.

You can also experiment with different types of bread to find your favourite. Some people like to use a combination of French, sourdough, and/or pumpernickel bread cubes for their fondue. Others might prefer a multigrain baguette or even a white bread for a more neutral flavour that lets the cheese shine.

So, whether you're a bread enthusiast or just a fondue lover, be sure to include some crusty, freshly baked, or store-bought bread with your next cheese fondue for the ultimate dipping experience.

Meat

Fondue is a fun and social way to enjoy a variety of delicious foods. Meat fondue is a great choice for a dinner party, allowing guests to cook their own food in a communal pot of hot oil or broth. Here are some tips and suggestions for a successful meat fondue experience:

When it comes to meat fondue, you have several options to choose from. Here are some recommended meat choices:

• Beef: Sirloin steak, buffalo, filet mignon, ribeye beef, and flank steak are all excellent choices for beef fondue. These cuts of meat offer a balance of tenderness, flavour, and leanness, which is ideal for fondue cooking.
• Chicken: Chicken breast is a versatile option that goes well with various seasonings and marinades. You can cut it into bite-sized pieces and cook it in the hot oil or broth.
• Shrimp: Breaded shrimp is a popular choice for fondue, adding a crispy texture to the dish. You can also try raw shrimp and cook it in the hot oil or broth.
• Steak: Cut steak into small cubes or strips and cook it to your desired doneness. Ribeye and top sirloin are great choices for steak fondue.
• Sausage: Andouille sausage is a flavourful option to include in your meat fondue. You can also try other types of sausages, such as chicken or beef sausages.

Preparation and Cooking:

• Cut the meat into bite-sized pieces: It is important to cut the meat into small, uniform pieces to ensure even cooking. Aim for pieces that are about 1-inch in size.
• Season the meat: While seasoning is optional, you can add your favourite rubs, seasonings, or marinades to enhance the flavour of the meat. Experiment with different combinations to create unique flavours.
• Use the right oil or broth: For oil fondue, choose an oil with a high smoke point, such as canola oil or peanut oil. If using broth, you can use chicken or beef broth for added flavour.
• Heat the oil or broth: Heat the oil or broth to the desired temperature before adding the meat. For oil fondue, aim for a temperature of around 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius). For electric fondue pots, set the temperature to 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius).
• Cook the meat: Use long-handled fondue forks to spear the meat and carefully lower it into the hot oil or broth. Cook for the desired amount of time, depending on your preferred doneness. For thin cuts of beef, cook for about 1 minute for medium doneness and 2 minutes for well-done. For thick slices of beef, cook for about 2 minutes for medium doneness and 3 minutes for well-done.

Dipping Sauces and Sides:

To enhance your meat fondue experience, here are some dipping sauce and side dish suggestions:

• Creamy cucumber sauce: This refreshing sauce is made with cream cheese, chopped cucumber, and onion. It pairs well with both beef and chicken fondue.
• Mayonnaise and mustard: A simple combination of mayonnaise and mustard makes a great dipping sauce for beef fondue.
• Tomato sauce or salsa: These classic sauces add a tangy twist to your meat fondue.
• Garlic and pepper: For a French-style fondue, dip your meat into a condiment of garlic and pepper.
• Steamed vegetables: Serve your meat fondue with a variety of steamed vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, summer squash, green beans, and cauliflower.
• Baked potato: Offer baked potatoes as a filling side dish. Top them with butter, sour cream, and chives for a delicious addition to your fondue spread.
• Salad: A green salad is a fresh and healthy option to accompany your meat fondue. Serve it in a large bowl for sharing or provide individual servings for each guest.

Vegetables

When choosing vegetables to dip into fondue, it's important to consider how they will be cooked beforehand. Some vegetables, like asparagus, broccoli, bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, carrots, and zucchini, benefit from being roasted first. Others, such as green beans, pearl onions, radishes, and baby potatoes, can be steamed. Sautéed artichoke hearts and mushrooms are also delicious additions to the tray of fondue dippers.

If you're looking for something quick and easy, there are several vegetables that can be served raw and still taste delicious with fondue. These include celery, fennel spears, carrots, cherry tomatoes, and even pickles! Just be sure to pat the pickles dry before dipping.

For a unique twist, try blanching vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, green beans, or snap peas. This will soften them up just a bit, making them easier to dip and giving them a slightly different texture and flavour.

During the summer months, you might prefer a lighter option for dipping. Grilling vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, and radishes can add a smoky flavour to your fondue experience.

In the fall, turn to the creamy members of the squash family. Butternut squash, acorn squash, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin can be cubed, roasted, and allowed to cool slightly before dipping. This will help them firm up and become sturdier for dipping.

Winter calls for comfort food, and what could be more comforting than dipping root vegetables like small potatoes and turnips into a warm cheese fondue? Mushrooms, with their meaty, filling quality, are also an excellent choice for dipping during the colder months.

Fruits

Fruit is a popular choice for chocolate fondue, with fresh, dried, and tropical fruits all being suitable. Strawberries are a classic, romantic option, but you could also try raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, pineapple, mango, or papaya. For a winter treat, tropical fruits can bring a taste of sunshine to your fondue. Apples are another popular choice, with Granny Smith and green apples providing a crisp, tart contrast to the creamy cheese. Bosc pears are also a good option, with nutmeg and cinnamon undertones that complement the spices often found in cheese fondue.

If you're looking for something a little different, dried fruits like apricots, figs, dates, and papaya can be a great option for chocolate fondue. They last longer than fresh fruit and can be prepared in advance. For a real treat, try dipping fresh coconut chunks or dragon fruit into your chocolate fondue.

When preparing fruit for chocolate fondue, it's important to cut them into bite-sized pieces ahead of time for a simpler dining experience. Additionally, make sure the fruit is soft enough to be pierced by a fondue fork. Harder items like dried bananas or large chunks of fruit may require the use of tongs.

Sweets

If you have a sweet tooth, there are plenty of options for fondue. Here are some ideas for sweet treats to dip into your chosen fondue:

Chocolate fondue is a classic, and there are endless options for what to dip into it. Try cubed pound cake, pretzels, strawberries, or whatever your heart desires. Potato chips, cookies, angel food cake, candy, and fruit like pineapple, pears, apples, bananas, dried apricots, mango, and papaya are also great options. If you want to get creative, try dipping potato chips or pretzels.

For a caramel fondue, pretzels, tart green apples, and graham crackers are great options.

If you're feeling adventurous, try a peanut butter fondue with a white chocolate and peanut butter base. This fondue goes well with both sweet and salty dippers.

For a Greek fondue made with feta, mozzarella, and cream cheese, serve with pita chips or toasted pita bread for dipping.

You can also try a s'mores fondue, which combines heavy cream, marshmallow cream, and chocolate for a sweet and sticky treat.

Frequently asked questions