Cheese Fondue Entrees: Perfect Pairings For A Melty Feast

Fondue is a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer, main course, or dessert. While cheese fondue is the most well-known type, there are also main dish fondue recipes that feature meat, seafood, or vegetables as the star ingredient. When it comes to choosing an entree to pair with fondue, the options are endless. For a light and quick option, sesame chicken with rice and a spicy seaweed salad could be a good choice. Alternatively, cured meats such as beef jerky, kielbasa, pepperoni, salami, and sausage go surprisingly well with cheese fondue. Fully cooked meats like grilled beef or chicken are also delicious dipped in cheese, especially when paired with bread or crackers. If you're looking for something more indulgent, a classic Swiss cheese fondue with bread cubes, small boiled potatoes, or vegetables for dipping is always a popular choice.

Bread, crackers, and chips

Crackers are another great option for scooping up melted cheese from the pot. They offer a nice crunchy texture that contrasts well with other softer foods that may be served alongside the fondue, such as pasta, rice, potatoes, or broccoli.

While not as common as bread or crackers, chips can also be used as dippers for cheese fondue. Potato chips, for example, will likely fall apart in the cheese, but tortilla chips can be a great option for those who want to enjoy their fondue with a side of nachos.

Vegetables

If you're after roasted vegetables, asparagus, broccoli, bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, carrots, and zucchini are great options. You could also try roasting potatoes, peppers, onions, or mushrooms.

Steaming vegetables is another option. Try green beans, pearl onions, radishes, or baby potatoes.

Sautéed artichoke hearts are a tasty addition, as are most mushrooms, including crimini, shiitake, oyster, or sliced portobellos.

If you're short on time, you can serve vegetables raw. Try celery, fennel spears, carrots, cherry tomatoes, or pickled vegetables like pearl onions, cucumbers, or gherkins.

To make dipping easier, provide toothpicks or skewers for vegetables with odd shapes or small sizes.

Meat and seafood

When it comes to meat and seafood, there are several options that can be served as entrees with fondue. Here are some detailed suggestions:

Grilled Meat

Grilled beef or chicken can be a great option to pair with fondue. These proteins can be served with bread or crackers, providing a nice contrast in texture and flavour. Some cheeses used in fondue may also have added food colouring, so having grilled meat as a more visually appealing option can be a good idea. The simplicity of grilled meat also balances the rich and flavourful cheeses.

Cured Meats

Cured meats such as beef jerky, kielbasa, pepperoni, salami, and sausage are fun and flavourful additions to a fondue pot. These meats add a bit of spice and variety to the overall fondue experience. Cured meats go surprisingly well with the melted cheese, providing a unique and satisfying combination.

Fully Cooked Meats

Meats like grilled steak, poached chicken, or cooked ham can be served as entrees and taste delicious when dipped in the fondue. These proteins are more commonly found in a specific type of fondue known as fondue chinoise. The melted cheese enhances the flavour of these fully cooked meats, making for a delightful culinary experience.

Seafood

Seafood options such as shrimp, crab, and lobster are elegant and decadent choices to pair with fondue. Lightly steamed or cooked seafood can be the perfect addition to your fondue spread, especially for special occasions. Like the fully cooked meats, seafood is commonly found in the fondue chinoise style of fondue.

Meat Fondue

For a heartier option, a meat fondue can be prepared by cooking meat in the fondue pot itself. This style of fondue typically includes meats such as boneless beef sirloin steak, skinless chicken breast, or meatballs. This interactive and engaging way of enjoying fondue allows guests to cook their own meat to their desired doneness while enjoying a variety of dipping sauces.

Cured meats

If you're looking for something a little more sophisticated, cured meats like prosciutto, salami, soppressata, and chorizo are excellent choices. These meats pair surprisingly well with the gooey, melted cheese. You can also serve them with a variety of cheeses, from Swiss-style Gruyere and Emmental to Italian-style Fontina.

For a charcuterie board with a twist, serve a selection of cured meats with a piping hot pot of cheese fondue in the centre instead of the usual cold cheese cuts. This will create a fun and interactive dining experience for your guests.

Remember, when serving cured meats with fondue, it's important to ensure that the meats are fully cooked before dipping them into the cheese. This will not only improve the taste and texture but also ensure that the meats are safe to consume.

Grilled beef or chicken

When serving grilled beef or chicken as a main course, consider the following tips:

• Pair it with bread or crackers: These can be used to scoop up the melted cheese from the fondue pot, creating a tasty combination of warm, gooey cheese and crunchy bread or crackers. Bread is also traditionally served with fondue to sop up any remaining cheese in the pot.
• Offer a variety of cheeses: Fondue is typically made with a combination of cheeses such as Emmental, Gruyère, and Appenzeller. You can also add other cheeses like Camembert, Mozzarella, Parmesan, Brie, or Cheddar to create different flavours and textures.
• Include side dishes: Serve grilled beef or chicken with side dishes such as roasted Brussels sprouts, artichoke hearts, boiled vegetables (carrots, broccoli, cauliflower), or sweet potato fries. These side dishes will add a contrast of textures and flavours to the meal.
• Create a balanced meal: Fondue can be rich and indulgent, so consider serving a simple salad or roasted vegetables on the side to lighten the meal. You can also offer fruit, such as sliced apples or pears, to provide a sweet and savoury combination.

By following these tips, you can create a delicious and well-rounded meal with grilled beef or chicken as the main course, perfectly complemented by fondue as an appetizer or side dish.

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