Fondue is a Swiss dish that involves dipping bite-sized pieces of food into a pot of melted cheese or chocolate. Fondue is usually served in a small pot over a flame and shared by a group of people. The word fondue means melted in French, from the verb fondre, to melt. If you're looking for another way to refer to fondue, you could try liquid gold for the cheese version, or chocolate potpourri for the sweet version. Other synonyms include dipping feast, melting pot, fondutopia, and dip-a-roo.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Synonyms | Liquid gold, chocolate potpourri, dipping feast, melting pot, fondutopia, dip-a-roo |
Definition | Hot cheese or chocolate melted to the consistency of a sauce into which bread or fruits are dipped |
What You'll Learn
Fondue is a Swiss dish
The Swiss Cheese Union popularised fondue as a Swiss national dish in the 1930s, and it was further promoted in North America during the 1960s. The earliest known recipe for the modern form of cheese fondue comes from a 1699 book published in Zürich, under the name "Käss mit Wein zu kochen" or "to cook cheese with wine". The recipe calls for grated or cut-up cheese to be melted with wine, and for bread to be dipped in it.
Since the 1950s, the term "fondue" has been generalised to other dishes in which food is dipped into a communal pot of hot liquid. For example, chocolate fondue, in which fruit or cake is dipped into melted chocolate, and fondue bourguignonne, where pieces of meat is cooked in hot oil or broth.
Fondue is a fun and social way to eat, and it has become a symbol of Swiss unity. It is often associated with mountains and winter sports.
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It involves melted cheese and wine
Fondue is a Swiss dish that involves melted cheese and wine. The word "fondue" comes from the French word "fondre", which means "to melt". It is typically served in a communal pot called a caquelon or fondue pot over a portable stove heated by a candle or spirit lamp. People dip bread, vegetables, or other snacks into the melted cheese using long-stemmed forks.
While the traditional Swiss fondue consists of cheese and wine, there are many variations. Some people use beer instead of wine, and others add ingredients like garlic, cornstarch, or kirsch. The type of cheese used can also vary, with popular choices including Swiss cheese, Gruyère, Vacherin Fribourgeois, and Emmental.
In addition to the savoury cheese fondue, there is also a sweet version called "chocolate fondue". This version involves melting chocolate and dipping fruit, cake, or other treats into the chocolate. Fondue has become a popular dish around the world, known for its fun and interactive dining experience.
The earliest known recipe for the modern form of cheese fondue comes from a 1699 book published in Zurich, Switzerland. The recipe, called "Käss mit Wein zu kochen" or "to cook cheese with wine", instructs readers to melt grated or cut-up cheese with wine and dip bread into it. Fondue was promoted as a Swiss national dish in the 1930s by the Swiss Cheese Union to increase cheese consumption.
Today, fondue is enjoyed as a social and interactive dining experience, often shared with friends and family. It has become a symbol of Swiss unity and is also associated with mountains and winter sports. Fondue parties became popular in the United States in the 1960s and 1970s, and people continue to enjoy this delicious and entertaining way of sharing a meal.
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Fondue can also be made with chocolate
Fondue is a Swiss dish that typically consists of cheese and wine served in a communal pot and eaten by dipping bread, vegetables, or other snacks. However, the term "fondue" has been generalized to other dishes with a similar concept, including chocolate fondue.
Chocolate fondue is a dessert fondue that usually includes warm, melted chocolate with various items for dipping. The chocolate is melted with milk or cream, and common dippers include fruit, cake, cookies, and marshmallows. It is an easy and fun way to enjoy chocolate and is perfect for a romantic dinner or entertaining a crowd.
When making chocolate fondue, it is important to use good-quality chocolate that melts well. Chopped chocolate or chocolate chips can be used, and the chocolate can be combined with milk, cream, or both to create the desired consistency. It is essential to heat the chocolate gently and avoid boiling it, as this can affect the texture. Vanilla extract can also be added for extra flavor.
The options for dippers in chocolate fondue are endless. Fresh fruit, such as strawberries, bananas, and apples, are popular choices. Cake, cookies, and marshmallows also make great dippers. Some unique options include pretzels, potato chips, and dried fruit.
Chocolate fondue is a versatile and enjoyable way to indulge in chocolate. It is perfect for gatherings, as it encourages interaction and creativity. Whether you are a chocolate lover or simply looking for a fun dessert option, chocolate fondue is a great choice.
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You dip bread, fruit, or meat into fondue
Fondue is a Swiss dish that involves dipping bite-sized pieces of food into a communal pot of melted cheese or chocolate. The word "fondue" means "melted" in French, derived from the verb "fondre" which means "to melt". It is typically served in a small pot over a flame and shared by a group of people. Fondue is usually eaten with a long fork, and it is common to dip cubes of bread, fruit, or meat into the melted cheese or chocolate.
When it comes to cheese fondue, a blend of cheeses, wine, and seasoning is used, although there are variations such as using beer instead of wine. The traditional Swiss cheese fondue consists of Swiss cheese and Gruyère, flavoured with white wine and kirsch. It is served in a caquelon or fondue pot, heated over a portable stove with a candle or spirit lamp. The caquelon may be rubbed with a cut garlic clove, and the white wine is added and heated with cornstarch before the grated cheese is gently stirred in until melted.
For those with a sweet tooth, chocolate fondue is a popular choice. It involves melting chocolate, sometimes with milk or cream, and dipping fruit, cake, or pastry into the warm, sweet mixture. This variation is perfect for those who want to indulge their sweet cravings.
Fondue has become a symbol of Swiss unity and is often associated with mountains and winter sports. It gained popularity in North America in the 1960s and has since become a fun and interactive way to enjoy food with friends and family. The social nature of fondue, where people gather around a communal pot, enhances the dining experience and creates a sense of connection.
Whether you call it "liquid gold", "chocolate potpourri", or simply "fondue", dipping bread, fruit, or meat into this melted delight is a unique and enjoyable way to savour a variety of flavours and textures. So, gather your loved ones, heat up the fondue pot, and get ready for a delicious and interactive dining experience!
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It is eaten communally
Fondue is a Swiss dish that is eaten communally. It involves a group of people dipping bite-sized pieces of food into a communal pot of melted cheese or chocolate. The cheese fondue is usually served in a small pot over a flame, with cubes of bread for dipping. The chocolate fondue is a dessert fondue, with cubes of cake and fruit for dipping. Fondue was invented in Switzerland and is considered the Swiss national dish. It is also often associated with mountains and winter sports.
The word "fondue" comes from the French word "fondre", which means "to melt". It is the feminine passive past participle of the verb "fondre". The earliest known recipe for the modern form of cheese fondue comes from a 1699 book published in Zurich, under the name "Käss mit Wein zu kochen", which translates to "to cook cheese with wine". The recipe calls for grated or cut-up cheese to be melted with wine, and for bread to be dipped in it.
Fondue is typically served in a communal pot called a caquelon or fondue pot over a portable stove heated by a candle or spirit lamp. Long-stemmed forks are used for dipping the food into the melted cheese or chocolate. Losing a piece of bread in the caquelon is said to be penalized by buying a round of drinks, singing a song, or even running around in the snow naked!
Fondue has become a symbol of Swiss unity and is often enjoyed as a fun and delicious way to share food with friends and family. It is easy to prepare, even in large quantities, and can be customized with different types of cheese, chocolate, and dipping items.
In addition to the traditional cheese and chocolate fondues, there are also other variations of fondue. For example, fondue bourguignonne involves cooking pieces of meat in hot oil or broth. There is also bagna cauda, a similar olive oil-based dish from Northern Italy.
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Frequently asked questions
Some synonyms for fondue include "liquid gold" (for cheese-based fondue), "chocolate potpourri" (for chocolate-based fondue), "dipping feast", "melting pot", "fondutopia", and "dip-a-roo".
Fondue is a Swiss dish that involves dipping bite-sized pieces of food into a pot of melted cheese or chocolate. The word "fondue" means "melted" in French.
Foods commonly dipped into cheese fondue include cubes of bread, vegetables, and meat. Foods commonly dipped into chocolate fondue include fruit, cake, and pastries.