Cheese And Chocolate Fondue: Perfect Pairing Ideas

Fondue is a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer, main course, or dessert. While it is traditionally served with bread, there are many other foods that go well with fondue. Here are some ideas for what to serve with fondue, depending on the type of dish you want to create:

As a Side Dish

- Steamed or grilled broccoli

- Roasted bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts

- Grilled or roasted mushrooms

- Roasted potatoes, especially baby potatoes

For a Fun, Yet Filling Meal

- Miniature meatballs or steak cubes

- Grilled or fried seafood (shrimp, scallops, octopus, squid)

- Cured meats and grilled cocktail wieners

- Leftover chicken or turkey

- Fried ravioli or tortellini

For Dessert

- Fruit slices such as apples, pears, oranges, tangerines, apricots, nectarines, or peaches

Bread, Crackers, and Chips

If you're looking for something a little different, crackers are also an option, although they are less traditional and less suitable for forking, requiring dipping by hand. Wheat crackers or tortilla chips are a great choice if you're looking for something crunchy to scoop up that cheesy goodness.

When it comes to chips, tortilla chips are a good choice, especially if you're looking for something with a bit more crunch. Just be careful not to let them get too soggy in the cheese!

Vegetables

When it comes to choosing vegetables to accompany your fondue, you have a lot of options. You can go for raw veggies, which can be a refreshing contrast to the rich cheese. Good choices for raw vegetables include celery, fennel spears, carrots, cherry tomatoes, and bell peppers. You can also serve them with a dip or dressing on the side for added flavour.

If you're looking for something a little more substantial, roasted or steamed vegetables are a great option. Try asparagus, broccoli, bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, carrots, and zucchini. These vegetables have a more robust flavour and texture that can stand up to the cheese. You could also try roasted baby potatoes, green beans, pearl onions, or a variety of baby potatoes like Yukon Gold, fingerling, red, or purple.

For a bright and colourful addition to your fondue spread, consider lightly steaming or blanching broccoli or cauliflower florets. They will add a bit of freshness to your meal and are a great option for those who prefer their vegetables on the crunchier side.

Mushrooms are also a delicious option for your fondue. You can roast or grill them whole, or slice up large mushrooms like portobello or shiitake. Mushrooms are often paired with cheese, so they are a natural choice for dunking into your fondue pot.

Don't forget to provide your guests with plenty of skewers or fondue forks to make it easier to dip and enjoy their vegetables!

Meat

When it comes to choosing meats to go with fondue, you have a lot of flexibility. The best meats for fondue are generally considered to be red meats, specifically beef cuts like tenderloin, sirloin, and filet mignon. However, chicken, pork, fish, and seafood are also great options. It all depends on your personal preference.

If you want to use beef, it's important to choose the right cut of meat. Tenderloin, sirloin, and filet mignon are ideal because they are tender and can be cooked to your desired level of doneness. These cuts can be cooked in either oil or broth. If you're using oil, heat it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the beef for 30 seconds to one minute. For broth, heat it to 212 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the beef for 20 seconds to one minute.

Chicken is another great option for fondue, especially boneless, skinless chicken breast. This cut of meat is lean and cooks quickly. Chicken can be cooked in either oil or broth. If using oil, heat it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the chicken for about one minute. For broth, heat it to 212 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the chicken for about two minutes.

Pork is also a delicious choice for fondue, but it's important to choose a tender cut with minimal fat. Pork loin is a good option. Pork can be cooked in either oil or broth, but it's better suited to oil. If using oil, heat it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the pork for 45 seconds to one minute.

Seafood is another popular choice for fondue, although it's not technically a meat. Shrimp, lobster, crab, scallops, and fish fillets are all great options. Seafood is typically cooked in broth, but fish can be cooked in either oil or broth. If using broth, heat it to 212 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the seafood for one to two minutes, depending on the type. For oil, heat it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the seafood for about one minute.

When preparing meat for fondue, it's important to cut it into bite-sized pieces or cubes. You'll also want to plan for about 1/3 to 1/2 pound of meat per person.

Seafood

Grilled or Fried Seafood

Grilled or fried seafood options such as shrimp, scallops, octopus, or squid can be an impressive and tasty addition to your fondue spread. These options pair well with the mellow types of cheese typically used in fondue, such as Gruyere or Emmental. Just be careful not to overcook your seafood, as it can become rubbery and flavourless.

Lightly Steamed Seafood

For a more elegant and decadent offering, try serving lightly steamed seafood such as shrimp, crab, or lobster with your fondue. This is a great option for a special occasion and would be sure to impress your guests.

Grilled Shrimp

Lightly grilled shrimp, cooked with a bit of minced garlic and chopped parsley, pairs nicely with a bold cheese fondue made with brandy or white wine. The key here is to not overcook the shrimp, as you want them to remain juicy and tender.

Cured Meats and Seafood

If you're looking for an original take on the classic cheese and charcuterie board, why not serve a variety of cured meats and seafood options with your fondue? This could include cured meats such as salami, prosciutto, or chorizo, along with seafood options such as smoked salmon, crab cakes, or even seafood-stuffed mushrooms. The sweet and mellow flavours of traditional fondue cheeses pair well with the savoury and briny flavours of cured meats and seafood.

Fruit

Fresh Fruit

Fresh fruit is a great option for fondue. Some popular choices include strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and other berries. Tropical fruits such as pineapple, mango, papaya, bananas, kiwi, dragon fruit, and fresh coconut chunks are also excellent choices. Apples, oranges, cherries, seedless grapes, cantaloupe, and honeydew melon are also good options. If you want to get creative, you can try starfruit, kiwi, or mango.

Dried Fruit

In addition to fresh fruit, dried fruit can also be delicious when dipped in chocolate fondue. Dried fruit has a longer shelf life than fresh fruit, so it's a great option if you want to prepare your fondue dippers in advance. Some ideas for dried fruit include dates, dried apricots, figs, and dried pineapple.

Frozen Fruit

If you're serving fondue in hot weather, consider using frozen fruit. Bananas, kiwi, grapes, and small berries are good choices for freezing. Frozen bananas, in particular, can have a texture similar to ice cream! Just be aware that some fruits freeze harder than others and may be difficult to chew.

You can cut larger fruits into bite-sized pieces or chunks, or use small fruits like grapes and berries whole. Threading the fruit onto skewers or fondue forks can make for easy dipping. If serving to children, consider using popsicle sticks or snipping off the sharp points from the skewers after they've been threaded with fruit.

Frequently asked questions