Delicious Dippers For Fondue: Creative Combinations To Try

Fondue is a simple dish that involves melting cheese and wine in a pot, into which people can dip almost anything. The most popular dippers include bread, crackers, and chips. French bread, breadsticks, croutons, multigrain bread, rye, sourdough, and even bagels are some types of bread that go well with fondue. For crackers and chips, pretzels, wheat crackers, and tortilla chips are good options.

Vegetables are also a popular choice for dipping in fondue. Vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, carrots, and zucchini can be roasted, or steamed, before being dipped. Green beans, pearl onions, radishes, and baby potatoes can also be steamed. Artichoke hearts and mushrooms can be sautéed, and raw vegetables such as celery, fennel spears, carrots, and cherry tomatoes can also be dipped into the fondue.

Meat and seafood can also be added to the platter to provide protein and make it a complete meal. Grilled steak, poached chicken, cooked ham, beef jerky, kielbasa, pepperoni, salami, and sausage are some options for meat. Lightly steamed seafood such as shrimp, crab, or lobster can also be added to the platter.

Fruits such as apples, pears, pineapple, and grapes can also be served with fondue.

Bread, crackers and chips

Bread is the most popular dipper for cheese fondue. French bread, breadsticks, and croutons are always a hit, but you can also try multigrain bread, rye, sourdough, pumpernickel, and even bagels. For something a little different, opt for a rustic cranberry walnut loaf. Whatever type of bread you choose, make sure to lightly toast it first (especially bread that may fall apart in the cheese) and then cut it into large cubes.

Other types of snack-style dippers to try are soft or hard pretzels (a natural pairing with cheese) and wheat crackers or tortilla chips.

If you're looking for something a little more indulgent, try pairing your fondue with some crispy crackers. For a real treat, look for crackers with added ingredients like caramelised onion, olive oil and sea salt, or cracked pepper.

For a healthier option, choose wholegrain or rye crackers, rice cakes, or even wholegrain toast cut into strips.

Vegetables

Raw Vegetables

If you're looking for a quick option that requires no cooking, try raw vegetables such as celery, fennel spears, carrots, and cherry tomatoes. You can also serve pickled vegetables like pearl onions, pickles, and sweet gherkins, but be sure to pat them dry before serving. If you're serving an oddly shaped or small vegetable, consider providing toothpicks or skewers to make dipping easier.

Steamed/Blanched Vegetables

For a healthier option, you can steam or blanch vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, carrots, zucchini, green beans, pearl onions, radishes, or a variety of baby potatoes like Yukon Gold, fingerling, red, or purple. Steaming or blanching will help retain the crunchiness of the vegetables while also softening them slightly, making them perfect for dipping.

Roasted Vegetables

If you want to add a bit of extra flavour to your vegetables, try roasting them first. Vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, carrots, and zucchini are delicious when roasted and will add a nice charred flavour to your fondue experience.

Meat

If you're making a cheese fondue, grilled steak, poached chicken, cooked ham, and mini-meatballs are all great options. You can also add in steamed seafood for a touch of decadence. Lobster, crab, shrimp, and scallops are all excellent choices. Just be sure to cook the seafood before adding it to the fondue.

For a fondue with broth, beef is an excellent choice. Cut a beef tenderloin or boneless beef top sirloin steak into cubes and dip them into the hot broth. Mushrooms are also a great addition to this type of fondue and can be cooked in the broth at the same time as the beef.

When choosing meat for your fondue, look for options that are fully cooked and cut into small, bite-sized pieces. This will make it easier to dip and ensure that your meat doesn't fall apart in the fondue pot.

Fruit

Raw or whole fruits like sliced green or red apples, pears, pineapple, and seedless grapes are excellent choices. Apples, especially tart varieties like Granny Smith, are a popular option and pair wonderfully with the creamy cheese. Instead of slices, which can be tricky to spear, cut the apples into cubes for easier dipping. Bosc pears, with their nutmeg and cinnamon undertones, also bring out the spices often found in fondues.

Dried fruits are another option to consider. Allow your guests to spear a few dried apricots or dried figs for a chewy, sweet treat dipped in cheese.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can also try other fruits like bananas, strawberries, or even watermelon. The natural sweetness of the fruit creates a delightful contrast with the savoury cheesiness of the fondue.

So, the next time you're planning a fondue night, don't forget to include some fruit on your platter! It adds a refreshing and unexpected twist to the classic fondue experience.

Seafood

Choosing Your Seafood

The key to a successful seafood fondue is selecting the right types of seafood to dip into that cheesy goodness. Go for options like shrimp, scallops, salmon, or other firm fish such as halibut. Cut your fish into bite-sized pieces so they are easy to cook and eat. You can also consider lump crab meat or oysters for a more indulgent treat.

Preparing Your Broth

To cook your seafood, you'll need a delicious broth as the base for your fondue. Combine chicken or shrimp stock with dry sherry, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and a touch of Worcestershire sauce. Bring this mixture to a boil in your fondue pot, monitoring the temperature to ensure it doesn't get too hot or cold. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper for an extra kick.

Dipping Sauces

Once you've cooked your seafood in the broth, it's time to dip! Offer a variety of sauces for your guests to enjoy, such as creamy spinach and dill spread, cocktail sauce, or even a simple lemon wedge for a touch of citrus.

Side Dishes

While seafood is the star of the show, you might want to provide some side dishes to round out the meal. Consider roasted baby potatoes, steamed broccoli or cauliflower, or crusty bread to soak up all that delicious broth and cheese.

A Special Recipe

If you're looking for a special seafood fondue recipe, look no further than Pappadeaux's Cheesy Seafood Fondue. This New Orleans-inspired appetizer combines shrimp, crab meat, spinach, and green onions with a creamy cheese sauce. It's the perfect blend of seafood and cheese, and it's sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

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