Delicious Foods You Can Fondue And Fun Ideas

Fondue is a Swiss national dish that was named as such back in the 1930s to increase cheese consumption. Fondue is a simple dish that involves melting cheese and wine, and people can dip almost anything into it. The most popular dipper for cheese fondue is bread, but there are many other options, including vegetables, cured meats, and even dessert items. For dessert, chocolate fondue is a popular choice, with options to dip fruit, cake, cookies, and more.

Bread, crackers and chips

Bread, crackers, and chips are classic dippers for cheese fondue. When selecting a bread for fondue, it's important to consider its texture and flavour profile. A French baguette is a popular choice due to its crispy crust and soft interior, making it perfect for dipping into melted cheese. Sourdough bread adds a tangy flavour to the fondue experience, while rye bread offers a nutty and earthy taste. Other options include ciabatta, focaccia, and brioche, each bringing their unique qualities to the table. To prepare the bread, simply slice it into bite-sized pieces, considering the density and structure of the loaf.

For those who prefer crackers or chips, wheat crackers, pita chips, and tortilla chips are excellent choices. You can even make your own homemade crackers, shaping them into long, narrow forms that are perfect for dipping. Bread chips are another option—simply cut bread, baguette, or rolls into thin slices, brush with a mixture of olive oil, garlic, parsley, and salt, and bake until crispy. These savoury snacks provide a delightful contrast to the creamy cheese fondue.

When serving bread, crackers, or chips with fondue, it's important to cut them into bite-sized pieces to simplify the dining experience. Toasting the bread lightly can also help prevent it from falling apart in the cheese. So, whether you choose a crusty French baguette, herby focaccia, or crispy bread chips, there are plenty of ways to enjoy bread, crackers, and chips with cheese fondue.

Meat and seafood

Fondue is a great way to cook and enjoy meat and seafood. It is a social and interactive way of dining, allowing your guests to cook their food to their liking.

Meat

Meat fondue is a classic, and a great choice for a dinner party. It is best to use a fondue pot with hot oil, and you can use a variety of meats, including:

• Beef tenderloin
• Rump steak
• Venison
• Chicken
• Pork
• Meatballs
• Sausage
• Chicken wings

Beef fondue is a popular choice, and you can marinate the meat beforehand to add extra flavour. It is important to cut the meat into bite-sized pieces, around 1-inch cubes, so it cooks quickly in the hot oil.

Seafood

Seafood fondue is a delicious alternative to meat, and you can use a variety of seafood, such as:

• Shrimp
• Scallops
• Salmon
• Halibut
• Trout

You can cook seafood in hot oil, or alternatively, you can use a broth or bouillon. A bouillabaisse fondue with a variety of seafood is a tasty and healthy option. It is important to pat the seafood dry and cut it into bite-sized pieces before cooking.

Tips

When preparing a meat or seafood fondue, it is important to keep raw and cooked food separate to avoid cross-contamination. Use different utensils for eating and cooking, and ensure your guests know not to eat from the fondue forks. It is also important to monitor the temperature of the oil or broth, as it will burn your food if it is too hot, and take a long time to cook if it is not hot enough.

Fruit

Fresh Fruit

Fresh fruit is a great option for fondue, as it provides a contrast of textures and flavours with the melted chocolate. Popular choices include strawberries, bananas, pineapple, kiwi, dragon fruit, papaya, mango, apples, pears, melons, figs, and grapes. These fruits can be cut into bite-sized pieces or left whole, depending on their size. For a unique presentation, you can skewer the fruit or serve them as fondue "dunkabobs".

Dried Fruit

Dried fruit is another delicious option for fondue, as it lasts longer than fresh fruit and can be prepared in advance. Some dried fruit ideas include dates, apricots, figs, raisins, and apples. However, avoid using dried bananas, as they may be too hard for fondue forks.

Tropical Fruits

Tropical fruits such as pineapple, mango, and papaya are sweet and juicy, making them perfect for a fondue. These fruits will transport you to a tropical paradise, especially if you're enjoying your fondue during the winter months.

Berries

Berries are some of the most popular fruits to dip in chocolate fondue. Strawberries are often seen as the most romantic choice, but other berries such as raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and marionberries also work well. Just avoid using tiny blueberries, as they may be too small for dipping.

When choosing fruit for your fondue, the sky's the limit! You can use any combination of fresh or dried fruit that suits your taste preferences and availability. Get creative, and don't be afraid to experiment with different types of fruit to find your favourite combinations.

Vegetables

When choosing vegetables for fondue, opt for those that are firm and not too watery. This will ensure they don't fall apart when dipped in the hot cheese or broth. Good options include asparagus, broccoli, bell peppers, zucchini, carrots, and cauliflower. If you're looking for something a little more filling, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and winter squash are great choices. Just be sure to cut them into bite-sized pieces before cooking.

There are several ways to cook vegetables for fondue. Roasting or steaming are popular methods, as they help retain the vegetables' shape and texture. Lightly grilling vegetables during the summer months can add a nice smoky flavour, while boiling or roasting root vegetables in the winter is a comforting option. If you're short on time, some vegetables, like carrots and sugar snap peas, can be lightly blanched before dipping.

When preparing vegetables for fondue, cut them into uniform sizes so they cook evenly. You can also squeeze lemon juice over them to prevent browning. If you're using a cheese fondue, it's important to keep the temperature below boiling to avoid burning.

To dip the vegetables, you can use fondue forks or skewers. If using a platter of cooked vegetables, it's a good idea to provide toothpicks or skewers for easier handling.

Chocolate

Types of Chocolate

When selecting chocolate for your fondue, it's important to choose a good quality chocolate that melts well. Chopped chocolate or chocolate chips can be used, but avoid chocolate chips that contain stabilizing ingredients as they may not melt smoothly. Some recommended brands for chocolate chips include Ghirardelli and Guittard, which offer a variety of bittersweet or semisweet options. If you can't find these brands, you can opt for chocolate baking bars, which are often found in the baking aisle. White chocolate can also be used for a classy fondue experience and goes well with a variety of dippers.

Creating the Fondue

To make the fondue, combine your chosen chocolate with milk or heavy cream in a saucepan or fondue pot. Heat the mixture over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate is completely melted and the fondue is glossy and smooth. Be careful not to let the mixture simmer or boil, as it may scorch and affect the texture. Once melted, you can stir in a teaspoon of vanilla extract to enhance the flavor. If you want a thinner consistency, simply whisk in additional cream or milk gradually until you achieve the desired consistency.

Dippers

The options for dippers are endless! Here are some popular choices:

• Fruits: Strawberries, bananas, pineapple, kiwi, oranges, apples, melon, dried apricots, and mango are all excellent choices.
• Cookies: Oreos, vanilla wafers, biscotti, shortbread, peanut butter cookies, chocolate chip cookies, and ginger snaps are perfect for dipping.
• Cake: Cubed angel food cake, pound cake, carrot cake, red velvet cake, and cheesecake are delicious options.
• Marshmallows: Large marshmallows are ideal for dipping and pair perfectly with chocolate.
• Brownies: Cut them into small pieces for the perfect bite-sized treat.
• Pretzels: The combination of sweet and salty flavors makes pretzels a great choice.
• Cheesecake: Cut a large cheesecake into small squares for the ultimate indulgent dipper.
• Nuts: Larger nuts such as almonds, hazelnuts, or macadamia nuts can be skewered and dipped into the chocolate.
• Sweetbreads: Raisin bread, banana bread, and zucchini bread are unique and tasty options.

Presentation and Serving

To keep your chocolate fondue warm while serving, use a fondue pot with a small tea light candle at the base. If you don't have a fondue pot, you can use a small slow cooker, a chocolate fountain, or even a saucepan over a very low heat. Provide your guests with fondue forks, toothpicks, or lollipop sticks for dipping. Cut your dippers into bite-sized pieces ahead of time to simplify the dining experience.

Frequently asked questions