Cheese And Chocolate Fondue: Fun, Creative Ideas

Fondue is a fun and communal dish that can be served at parties or enjoyed as a simple indulgence at home. While cheese fondue is often paired with bread, apple slices, and raw vegetables, there are many other creative options to dip into a pot of gooey, warm, melted cheese. These include steamed vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots, cured meats such as salami and chorizo, roasted baby potatoes, meatballs, and even pickles. For chocolate fondue, try something sweet and salty like chocolate-covered bacon, or dip soft fruits like mango and peach into the chocolate for a tasty treat.

Fondue originated in Switzerland as a way to stretch families' resources

Fondue, Switzerland's national dish, originated in the country as a way for families to stretch their limited resources. The dish, whose name comes from the French word "fondre", meaning "to melt", is believed to have originated in the 18th century. At the time, farm families in Switzerland would use any remaining cheese, stale bread, and wine to create a hearty meal. The bread, which was usually stale as it was only baked occasionally in the Alpine farm villages, would be softened by dipping it in the melted cheese.

Fondue was also mentioned in Homer's Iliad, dating back to around 800-725 BC, where it was described as a mixture of goat's cheese, wine, and flour. A Swiss cookbook from the late 17th century, Kochbuch der Anna Margaretha Gessner, also makes note of cooking cheese with wine.

The first written recipes for fondue appeared in 18th-century cookbooks published in France and Belgium, which called for the use of Gruyère cheese, a Swiss favourite. Despite its rural roots, fondue was enjoyed by people of all classes. In the 1930s, the Swiss Cheese Union (Schweizerische Käseunion) promoted fondue as the country's national dish to increase cheese consumption. After World War II, the Union resumed its campaign, sending fondue sets to military regiments and event organisers across Switzerland, solidifying fondue's place as a symbol of Swiss unity and national identity.

Today, fondue is considered a winter meal in Switzerland, typically enjoyed by locals as a comforting one-pot meal shared among family and friends. The traditional Swiss fondue consists of a blend of cheeses, wine, and seasonings, served in a communal pot (caquelon) over a portable stove (réchaud). Diners use long-stemmed forks to skewer and dip cubes of bread into the melted cheese.

Fondue is a dish in which small pieces of food are dipped into a hot sauce or cooking medium

When it comes to cheese fondue, there are endless possibilities for what you can dip into that gooey, warm, melted cheese. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Bread

A classic dipper for cheese fondue, bread is perfect for soaking up all that cheesy goodness. Go for a crusty baguette, sourdough, or a simple French bread, cut into cubes or strips that can be easily skewered and dunked.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables add a nice contrast of colours and textures to your fondue spread. For fruits, go for crisp and tart Granny Smith apples, Bosc pears, or citrusy options like oranges and avocados. You can also try grapes, cherry tomatoes, and strawberries. As for vegetables, steamed options like broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, asparagus, and artichoke hearts are great. But if you prefer your veggies raw, go for bell peppers, mushrooms, or cucumbers.

Meat

Meatballs, cured meats like salami, chorizo, or prosciutto, and cooked chicken chunks are all excellent choices for adding some savoury flavour to your cheese fondue. If you're feeling adventurous, try dipping cubes of steak or ham into the cheese.

Potatoes

Roasted baby potatoes are the perfect size for dipping and taste similar to a cheesy baked potato. You can also try potato chips, potato skins, or thick-cut French fries.

Other Savoury Options

If you're looking for something a little different, try pickles, pretzels, or even potato chips. These options add a nice crunch and salty contrast to the cheese.

So, there you have it! These are just a few ideas to get you started on your fondue journey. Remember, the possibilities are endless, so get creative and enjoy the delicious, cheesy experience!

You can make fondue as healthy or indulgent as you like

Fondue is a versatile dish that can be tailored to your taste preferences and dietary needs. Whether you prefer indulgent treats or healthy options, fondue can be customised to satisfy your cravings. Here are some tips to make your fondue as healthy or as indulgent as you like:

Indulgent Options:

If you're craving something rich and decadent, go for a classic Swiss cheese fondue. This traditional fondue typically includes a blend of Gruyère, Swiss cheese, and sometimes Gouda, fontina, or Emmental. These cheeses create a creamy, buttery, and smooth fondue. You can also add a splash of white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc, to enhance the flavour and smoothness. For an extra touch of indulgence, serve your fondue with crusty bread, such as a French baguette, or sourdough cubes. Other indulgent dippers could include roasted baby potatoes, grilled shrimp, or thin slices of sausage.

Healthy Options:

On the other hand, if you're looking for a healthier option, you can make a few simple adjustments. Instead of using only indulgent cheeses, try blending in some lighter options like Swiss cheese or fontina. You can also reduce the amount of cheese and add more vegetables to your fondue. For dippers, opt for crunchy raw vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, or cauliflower. You can also include fresh fruits like apples or pears, which complement the cheese nicely. If you're watching your carb intake, use sliced cucumbers or boiled baby potatoes instead of bread.

Dessert Fondue:

For a sweet treat, try a chocolate fondue. This can be served with fresh fruit, such as apple and pear slices, as well as marshmallows, pretzels, and biscuits for dipping.

Tips for a Successful Fondue Party:

When hosting a fondue party, it's important to provide a variety of dippers to accommodate different tastes and dietary needs. It's also a good idea to have separate fondue pots for different types of fondue to avoid cross-contamination. Ensure you have enough fondue forks and regular appetizer forks for your guests, and remind them not to eat directly from the fondue forks.

Fondue is a fantastic way to bring fun and flavour to your dinner table

Choose Your Fondue

Fondue comes in many varieties, from cheese to chocolate, and even meat cooked in hot oil or broth. For a classic Swiss cheese fondue, use a blend of traditional, firm mountain-style cheeses like Gruyere, Emmental, and Appenzeller. You can also experiment with different combinations such as fontina, Gruyère, and gouda, or cheddar mixed with a more traditional cheese. If you're feeling adventurous, try adding some wine, beer, or brandy to your cheese fondue for an extra kick of flavour.

Gather Your Dippers

The key to a great fondue party is offering a variety of dippers to suit all tastes. The classic choice is crusty bread, especially French or sourdough, cut into cubes. For a healthier option, try dipping steamed broccoli or cauliflower florets. If you want something sweeter, go for tart Granny Smith apples or Bosc pears. Other unique dippers include cured meats such as prosciutto, shrimp, steak, roasted baby potatoes, and even pickles!

Set the Mood

To create the perfect fondue atmosphere, use large platters or boards to display your array of dippers. If using a cordless fondue pot, place it in the centre of the table so all your guests can easily access the cheesy goodness. If your pot has a cord, consider setting up a fondue buffet, with the pot and dippers lined up so guests can serve themselves. Provide each guest with a fondue fork and a regular appetizer fork, along with a small plate.

Fondue Etiquette

As the host, remind your guests to use the long fondue fork only for dipping and then place their dipped food on their plate. They should then use their regular fork to eat. No double-dipping! It's also important to use separate utensils for eating and cooking, and to keep raw and cooked foods on separate plates to avoid cross-contamination.

Experiment with Sauces

Don't be afraid to mix and match sauces to elevate your fondue experience. Try sweet and spicy Thai ginger sauce, creamy horseradish sauce, spicy brown mustard, or even honey butter. Get creative and let your taste buds be your guide!

With these tips, you're well on your way to a fun and flavourful fondue night that your guests will be talking about for ages!

Fondue is a great choice for a romantic meal for two

Choose the Right Cheese

The key to a delicious fondue is selecting the right cheese. Go for creamy, buttery cheeses that melt smoothly, such as Gruyère, Swiss cheese, Gouda, fontina, or Emmental. You can also experiment with different combinations of cheeses to create unique flavours.

Dippers and Accompaniments

While crusty bread is a classic and popular choice for dipping, you can offer a variety of other dippers to make it a meal. Here are some ideas:

• Raw or steamed vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, carrots, or asparagus
• Fruits like apples or pears
• Meatballs
• Cooked meats such as steak, shrimp, or sausage
• Roasted potatoes
• Pickles
• Salami, prosciutto, or other cured meats

Fondue Pot and Setup

Using a fondue pot is essential to keep the cheese melted and warm. You can choose between electric fondue pots or those warmed with candles or sterno. If you don't have a fondue pot, you can use a small ceramic dish or cast-iron pot, but you'll need to keep returning it to the stove to rewarm the cheese.

When setting up your fondue table, use large platters or boards to display the various dippers. Provide each guest with a fondue fork and a regular appetizer fork, along with a small plate.

Fondue Etiquette

Remind your guest to use the long fondue fork only for dipping and then place the food on their plate. They should use their regular fork to eat from the plate. No double-dipping!

Sauces

Fondue is often served with a variety of sauces to complement the dippers. Here are some ideas:

• Sweet and spicy Thai ginger sauce
• Creamy horseradish sauce
• Spicy brown mustard
• Yum yum sauce
• Honey butter

Final Thoughts

Fondue is a fantastic choice for a romantic meal as it creates a cosy and intimate atmosphere. It's a great way to enjoy good food and company, and with these tips, you're sure to have a memorable evening.

Frequently asked questions