Delicious Dishes To Dip In Your Fondue

Fondue is a dish that originated in Switzerland, France, and Italy and is traditionally served with chunks of bread to be dipped in the cheese using long-stemmed forks. However, there are many other foods that go well with fondue, and the options are endless. If you're looking for some classic combinations, try cured meats such as salami and prosciutto, or fresh vegetables like cucumber, carrot, asparagus, and broccoli. For a more filling meal, consider dipping boiled potatoes, steak, or grilled shrimp into the cheese. And don't forget the fruit! Apples, pears, and grapes are all great choices to round out your fondue feast.

Bread

If you want to get creative, you can try a unique type of bread, such as a rustic cranberry walnut loaf, which pairs well with cheese.

Meat

Sausage

Sausage is an excellent choice for meat lovers. Authentic sweet Italian sausage goes perfectly with the savoury cheese. You can easily cut the sausage into smaller pieces, making it convenient for dipping. If you want to add a bit of spice, opt for chorizo or hot and spicy chicken sausage.

Poached Chicken

Poached chicken is another excellent option for adding protein to your fondue. You can season the chicken with herbs and spices to enhance the flavour. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and dip them into the cheesy goodness. You can even add some bread, creating mini sandwiches or sliders.

Steak

If you're a fan of cheesesteaks, then dipping steak strips or bites into gooey cheese will be a delightful experience. Cut the steak into thin strips or cubes, and let your guests cook the meat to their desired doneness. You can also provide different sauces for an extra flavour boost.

Seafood

For a unique twist, you can add seafood to your fondue. Shrimp, in particular, is an excellent choice. Whether roasted, sautéed, fried, or grilled, shrimp adds a fancy touch to your classic cheese fondue. Just be mindful not to overcook the seafood, as it can become rubbery and flavourless.

Seafood

When it comes to seafood choices for your fondue, the options are plentiful. Shrimp is an excellent choice and can be prepared in a variety of ways, such as roasted, sautéed, fried, or grilled. Other great options include scallops, salmon, halibut, or any other firm fish. Crab meat is also a tasty addition to your fondue, as seen in the Pappadeaux Cheesy Seafood Fondue recipe, which includes crab meat, shrimp, and oysters.

Broths and Seasonings:

To cook your seafood fondue, you can use a variety of broths and seasonings to enhance the flavor. One option is to combine chicken stock, dry sherry, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce in your fondue pot. Bring this mixture to a boil, and then cook your chosen seafood. You can also add ingredients like milk, Italian cheese blend, garlic powder, Old Bay Seasoning, or white wine to your broth for extra flavor.

Dipping Sauces:

After cooking your seafood in the fondue, offer a variety of dipping sauces for your guests to enjoy. Some sauce options include your favorite store-bought sauces or a simple combination of melted cheese and spices.

Side Dishes:

While seafood is the star of this fondue, you can also serve it with some side dishes. Bread is always a great option to soak up all that delicious broth and cheese. You can offer French baguettes, sourdough, breadsticks, or pretzels, but remember to toast them slightly first so they don't fall apart in the fondue. Steamed or raw vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower can also be served on the side, adding a fresh and healthy element to your meal.

Vegetables

If you're after something quick and easy, celery, fennel spears, carrots, and cherry tomatoes can be served raw. If you want to steam some veggies, try green beans, pearl onions, radishes, or baby potatoes.

For roasted vegetables, asparagus, broccoli, bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, carrots, and zucchini are all great options. You could also steam some broccoli or cauliflower if you prefer—steaming gives them a smoother taste.

If you're looking for something a little different, try grilling or roasting some mushrooms. Mushrooms are often paired with cheese, and their earthy, woody taste works well with the fondue.

Don't forget that pickles count as vegetables, too! You can pat them dry and dip them in the fondue for a tangy, sour bite.

Fruits

The crisp and tart flavour of apples, for instance, pairs well with the creamy cheese. Similarly, Bosc pears, with their nutmeg and cinnamon undertones, can bring out the spices often found in fondues. Pineapple, grapes, apricots, nectarines, peaches, and oranges are also good choices to serve with cheese fondue.

If you are looking for a lighter option to balance out the richness of the fondue, consider serving fruits such as strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, mangoes, papayas, or other tropical fruits. These fruits provide a sweet and juicy contrast to the savoury cheese.

For a unique twist, you can also offer dried fruits such as dried apricots or dried figs. These can add a different texture and concentrated flavour to the fondue experience.

Frequently asked questions