Creative Ways To Use Your Fondue Pot

Fondue is a fun and social dish, but fondue pots can be used for much more than just melting cheese or chocolate. They can be used for cooking a variety of foods, including soup, deep-fried foods, and hot pot-style meals. They can also be used to keep food warm, make tea or coffee, and even improve your complexion by steaming your face. Fondue pots are versatile and can be used for both sweet and savoury dishes, with a long list of possible dippers, from bread cubes to steamed veggies.

Make soup

Fondue pots can be used for a variety of dishes beyond fondue, including soups and stews. Here are some tips and recipes for making soup in a fondue pot:

Choosing the Right Fondue Pot

When making soup in a fondue pot, it's important to consider the type of pot you have. Electric fondue pots are a popular option as they allow for temperature control and don't require additional fuel sources. However, they may not be as aesthetically pleasing as traditional ceramic or cast-iron fondue pots. Additionally, you'll need to ensure there is an electrical outlet nearby and be cautious of the power cord to avoid any tripping hazards.

Ceramic or cast-iron fondue pots, on the other hand, offer more flexibility in terms of placement and often have a classier look. However, they require additional fuel sources such as sterno, and temperature control can be more challenging.

Vegetable Soup Recipe

For a simple and comforting vegetable soup, combine 2 carrots (peeled and thinly sliced), 1 stalk of celery (finely chopped), 1 can of diced tomatoes (drained), 1 can of white beans (rinsed and drained), and 4 cups of chicken or beef broth in your fondue pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Light the burner, cover the pot, and bring the soup to a boil. Then, remove the cover and let it simmer until the vegetables are tender, which should take around 20 minutes. Finally, add 1/4 cup of chopped parsley, adjust the seasoning if needed, and enjoy your soup!

Tips for Success

• Always ensure you have enough fuel in the burner during cooking to maintain the desired temperature.
• If using an electric fondue pot, be mindful of the power cord to avoid any tripping hazards.
• If your fondue pot doesn't have precise temperature control, use a cooking thermometer to monitor the temperature of your soup.
• For even cooking, cut your vegetables into uniform sizes.
• Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and seasonings to create your own unique soup recipes.

Deep fry foods

Deep-frying with a fondue pot

A fondue pot can be used for deep frying your favourite foods. Here are some tips for using your fondue pot to deep fry.

Firstly, ensure you are using a type of oil with a high smoke point, such as canola, sunflower, peanut, or soybean oil. Fill your fondue pot with oil, but only fill it to about a third to a half full to prevent the oil from overflowing when it rises during frying. Heat the oil to 375°F/190°C. You can test if the oil is hot enough by sticking the end of a wooden spoon into it—if it sizzles, it's ready.

Before frying your food, make sure it is patted dry to prevent oil splashes. Carefully lower the food into the oil using a slotted deep-fry spoon or tongs. Small batches of food will take less time to fry, and remember to keep an eye on the temperature of the oil to prevent it from burning. Once your food is cooked, transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels to remove excess oil.

Some delicious foods you can deep fry in your fondue pot include onion rings, calamari, mini doughnuts, tempura, latkes, cauliflower nuggets, Brussels sprouts, and vegan cheese sticks.

Keep appetisers warm

Fondue pots can be used for a variety of purposes other than making fondue, including keeping appetisers warm. Here are some tips for using your fondue pot to keep appetisers warm:

When cooking for guests, oven and stovetop space are often limited. If you're cooking meat in the oven and vegetables on the stove, a fondue pot can be used to keep appetisers and other small bites warm until serving. You can also use your fondue pot to keep dips, sauces, or self-serve chilli warm for dishes like hot dogs.

Fondue pots are great for keeping food warm, especially when you're tight on space or serving dishes that need to be kept warm for extended periods. So, the next time you're hosting a dinner party or gathering, consider using your fondue pot to keep your appetisers warm and tasty!

Make hot drinks

Fondue pots are incredibly versatile and can be used for a variety of purposes beyond simply making fondue. One great use for a fondue pot is to make hot drinks such as tea or coffee. If your regular coffee maker is out of commission, you can boil water in your fondue pot and add instant coffee or a tea bag for a warm beverage.

Fondue pots can also be used to make hot chocolate, which can be a fun and interactive way to serve this drink to your guests. Simply melt chocolate in the pot and provide a variety of dipper items such as fruit, marshmallows, and cookies for your guests to enjoy. You can also experiment with different types of chocolate and add-ins to create unique and personalized hot chocolate drinks.

In addition to hot chocolate, fondue pots are excellent for making other warm and comforting drinks. For example, you can warm apple cider or make a hot toddy over a low flame in your fondue pot. This is a great way to serve festive drinks during the winter months or at holiday gatherings.

Another creative way to use your fondue pot is to make mulled wine. Mulled wine is a popular winter drink that involves heating red wine with various spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and orange zest. Using a fondue pot allows you to prepare and serve this drink while keeping it warm throughout your gathering. You can also get creative and experiment with different spices and add-ins to develop your unique mulled wine recipe.

So, the next time you're looking to make hot drinks, consider using your fondue pot to create a fun and interactive experience for you and your guests. Whether it's tea, coffee, hot chocolate, or festive drinks like mulled wine and apple cider, your fondue pot can be a versatile tool for crafting and serving a variety of warm beverages.

Prepare Shabu-Shabu

Shabu-shabu is a Japanese hot pot dish, similar to fondue, where food is cooked and served in a large communal pot. Here is a step-by-step guide to preparing shabu-shabu using a fondue pot:

Ingredients and Preparation:

Firstly, gather your ingredients. For the broth, you will need:

• 4 cups of low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 can of concentrated beef broth
• 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
• 1 piece of fresh ginger, peeled and around 1 inch long
• 1 nori seaweed sheet
• 4 carrots, peeled and cut into sticks

For dipping, you can choose from:

• 1 pound of fondue beef
• 1/2 pound of soba noodles, cooked al dente and lightly oiled
• 1/2 pound of small shiitake mushrooms
• 1 cup of baby spinach
• 2 green onions, cut into sections

You may also want to provide a selection of dipping sauces, such as ponzu sauce or wasabi.

Cooking the Broth:

Place the broths, soy sauce, ginger, and nori in your fondue pot and bring to a boil. Let the broth simmer for 5 minutes, then remove the ginger and nori.

Cooking the Vegetables:

Add the carrots to the broth and cook until they are al dente, which should take around 5 minutes. Remove the carrots and set them aside until you are ready to serve.

Serving:

Place the fondue heating plate in the centre of your table and select the "Broth" function. Set your fondue pot on the heating plate and serve with the beef, noodles, vegetables, and dipping sauces.

Cooking the Meat and Vegetables:

Each diner will use a fondue fork to cook their chosen ingredients in the hot broth. For paper-thin slices of meat, this should only take 25-30 seconds for rare, 35-40 seconds for medium-rare, and 45-60 seconds for well-done. They can then dip their cooked ingredients in the sauces before piling them on bread.

Tips:

• Keep the fondue pot approximately 2/3 full for easy dipping.
• If you are serving a combination of meat and vegetables, cook the meat first to flavor the broth.
• Super-absorbent ingredients like mushrooms, noodles, and tofu are great choices as they soak up the broth quickly.
• Use a fondue dipping basket for rice, noodles, or leafy vegetables that are difficult to cook with skewers or forks.
• Provide each guest with their own soup bowl for the cooked food.

Frequently asked questions