A Taste Of France: Camembert Fondue

Fondue is a traditional Swiss dish, usually eaten after a long day of hiking or skiing in the mountains. It is made by melting cheese in white wine and is often served in a large fondue pot. While a classic Swiss fondue uses a combination of Gruyère and Vacherin Fribourgeois, Camembert is a popular addition to the mix, adding a mild and soft texture to the dish. It can also be baked in its own wooden box and served with fruit or crusty bread.

How to make camembert fondue

Camembert fondue is a delicious, comforting dish that's perfect for sharing with friends and family. Here's a step-by-step guide to making this indulgent treat:

Ingredients:

• Camembert cheese (one 9-ounce wheel or 10 ounces chopped/grated)
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Olive oil
• Fresh or dried thyme and rosemary sprigs (optional)
• Honey (optional)
• Selection of fresh fruit or crusty bread, cut into chunks or threaded onto skewers
• Garlic (1-3 cloves, sliced or peeled)
• White wine (300 millilitres or 2 1/2 cups)
• Cornflour/cornstarch (2-6 teaspoons)
• Kirsch (3 tablespoons)

Instructions:

• Take the camembert out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking to bring it to room temperature.
• Preheat your oven to 350-400°F.
• Prepare the camembert by removing any thicker rind, especially around the edges. The thinner top and bottom rinds can be left on or removed, depending on your preference.
• Place the camembert back in its box, cut-side up, on a baking tray lined with greaseproof paper.
• Sprinkle sea salt and black pepper over the cheese. Optionally, lay thyme and rosemary sprigs on top and drizzle with olive oil and honey.
• Bake for 10-20 minutes until the cheese is melted.
• Let the baked camembert cool slightly before serving.
• Meanwhile, prepare your dipping items. You can use crusty bread, chunks of fruit, boiled potatoes, or raw or cooked vegetables.
• In a separate fondue pot or saucepan, heat the white wine until it starts to simmer.
• Add the chopped/grated camembert and any other cheeses you are using (such as Gruyère) to the wine and use a whisk or spoon to slowly melt the cheese, stirring frequently.
• In a small bowl, mix the cornflour/cornstarch and Kirsch together.
• Once the cheese has fully melted, slowly whisk in the cornflour/cornstarch mixture until you achieve a thick but light consistency. Add more white wine if the mixture becomes too thick.
• Add the garlic and season with pepper and nutmeg, if desired.
• Serve the fondue immediately on a stand over a medium flame to keep it warm and melted.
• Dip your chosen items into the hot, melted cheese and enjoy!

Tips:

• If you're using a whole camembert wheel, create a "grid" pattern with your knife when slicing the top of the cheese, being careful not to cut all the way through.
• You can add sliced garlic, rosemary, and black pepper to the cuts for extra flavour.
• If you're using a fondue pot, make sure to stir the fondue constantly to keep it emulsified and prevent it from burning.
• For a gluten-free option, avoid ready-grated cheese packages, as some use flour to keep the cheese separate.
• For vegetarians, choose a camembert made with vegetarian rennet.

What to serve with camembert fondue

When it comes to serving camembert fondue, there are several options to choose from. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Bread

A good loaf of bread is a classic accompaniment to any fondue, and camembert fondue is no exception. Look for a loaf with a nice crust and a soft interior, and slice it into large, bite-sized cubes. You can use white, wholemeal, or a mix of both to add some variety. While some recipes call for slightly stale bread, others prefer fresh bread. In Switzerland, France, and Austria, you can even find special bread loaves made specifically for fondue, with small cubes that can be easily broken off.

Potatoes

If you want to make your fondue more filling, consider serving it with potatoes. New potatoes, Kipfler, fingerling, and even purple potatoes are all great choices. Simply boil them and keep them piping hot until serving. You can eat the potatoes directly from your plate or dip them into the fondue—the choice is yours!

Cornichons

Cornichons, or pickled mini gherkins, are a popular side dish in France and its surrounding countries. Their sourness helps cut through the richness of the cheese, making them a perfect pairing for camembert fondue. Look for teeny-tiny cornichons (about 1 inch long) for the best crunch and tartness.

Pickled Baby Corn

While not as commonly found outside of Switzerland, pickled baby corn is another tasty option to serve with your camembert fondue. It adds a similar tartness to the meal as cornichons, helping to offset the richness of the cheese.

Crispy Bacon

For meat lovers, crispy bacon is a delicious addition to camembert fondue. You can serve it on a plate alongside the fondue or mix it directly into the cheese mixture. Either way, it's sure to be a hit!

Salad

While it may not be the first thing that comes to mind, a simple green salad can be a refreshing counterpart to the rich fondue. It's also a common sight on Swiss tables, so you'll be eating like a local!

Remember, when it comes to serving camembert fondue, you can get creative and experiment with different combinations of sides to suit your taste preferences. Enjoy!

How to thin a camembert fondue

A camembert fondue is a delicious, comforting dish, perfect for sharing with friends and family. It is a type of cheese fondue that uses Camembert, a mild soft cheese that is excellent for melting. The cheese is baked in its own wooden box and served with a selection of dippers, such as crusty bread, fruit, or vegetables.

To thin a camembert fondue, follow these steps:

• Start by preparing the camembert cheese. Take the cheese out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking to bring it to room temperature.
• Preheat your oven to the desired temperature. Most recipes suggest baking the cheese at around 180-200°C (356-400°F).
• Remove the camembert from its box and unwrap it. You can choose to slice off the top rind or leave it on, depending on your preference.
• Place the cheese back into its box, cut-side up, and put the box on a baking tray lined with greaseproof paper.
• Here is where you can start to thin the fondue. Before baking, drizzle a small amount of olive oil on top of the cheese. You can also add some honey for extra flavour.
• Bake the cheese for around 10-20 minutes, keeping an eye on it to ensure it doesn't overcook. You want the cheese to be melted but not too runny.
• Once the cheese is melted, remove it from the oven and leave it to cool slightly.
• If the fondue is still too thick, you can add a small amount of liquid, such as white wine, and stir it through. Start with a small amount and adjust as needed. You can also add more olive oil at this stage if you prefer.
• Serve the fondue immediately with your chosen dippers.

By following these steps, you can adjust the consistency of your camembert fondue to your liking. Remember, it is easier to add more liquid and thin the fondue further than to correct an overly thin fondue, so start with a small amount of liquid and gradually add more as needed. Enjoy your delicious, creamy camembert fondue!

What to do with leftover camembert fondue

If you have leftover camembert fondue, you can store it in the fridge for 2-3 days. When you're ready to eat it, simply reheat it on low-medium heat until it gently simmers, making sure to whisk continuously to emulsify the mixture again. You may need to thin the mixture with some more white wine if it becomes too thick.

• Serve it as a dip: Reheat your fondue and serve it with chunks of crusty bread, boiled potatoes, or fresh fruit like apples or grapes for dipping.
• Make a baked dish: You can use your leftover fondue as a topping for baked dishes. Spread it over vegetables, meat, or bread and bake until melted and bubbly.
• Create a pasta sauce: Whisk your leftover fondue with a little milk or cream to thin it out, then toss it with your favourite cooked pasta for a creamy and indulgent meal.
• Make a grilled cheese: Spread your leftover fondue on slices of bread and make a grilled cheese sandwich. You can also add some sliced vegetables or meat to make it a heartier meal.
• Use it as a topping: Drizzle your leftover fondue over roasted vegetables, baked potatoes, or even a bowl of soup to add a creamy and cheesy touch.

How to reheat camembert fondue

Camembert fondue is a French dish made by baking a wheel of soft Camembert in its own wooden box. It is often served with chunks of fruit or crusty bread threaded onto skewers, to dip into the hot, melted cheese.

Using a Double Boiler

The double boiler method is one of the best ways to reheat fondue. It provides you with enough time to control the temperature of the boiling water and the amount of time you reheat the fondue. Here are the steps:

• Take a deep-vesseled pot and fill it halfway with water.
• Let the water come to a boil and add a glass bowl on top of the pot, ensuring the boiling water isn't directly touching the bowl.
• Add your leftover fondue to the glass bowl and mix it with a spatula constantly, ensuring it doesn't stick to the bowl.
• Keep mixing and folding the fondue until it becomes liquid and achieves a smooth texture.

Using a Stove

Using a stovetop is a good way to reheat larger amounts of fondue. The steps are simple:

• Start by placing a non-stick pan on a kitchen hob over medium heat.
• Add a knob of butter to the pan and add a dash of milk or cream, then let it heat up.
• Once the milk or cream is heated, add the leftover fondue to the pan and keep mixing it.
• Make sure to reduce the flame to low once the fondue starts boiling.
• Don't stop mixing the fondue—doing so can overcook the cheese, leaving a gritty and lumpy texture.
• Once it's done, take it off the stovetop and serve it in a ceramic bowl.

Using a Microwave

Reheating fondue with a microwave is the fastest method, but it requires caution as overheating can cause the dip to separate. Here are the steps:

• Transfer your fondue into a microwave-safe bowl or container.
• If the texture is too thick, you can add a splash of milk or cream to the fondue.
• Microwave the fondue in short bursts of 15 seconds.
• Fold and mix the fondue after every 15 seconds to get rid of any lumps.
• Reheat until the texture is smooth and creamy, and there are no lumps.

Frequently asked questions