Cheese And Chocolate Fondue: The Perfect Dinner Party Treat

Hosting a fondue dinner party is a fun and unique way to entertain guests. Fondue is a dish where small pieces of food are dipped into a hot sauce or cooking medium, and it can be made as healthy or indulgent as you like. The key to a great fondue party is variety – offering a range of different fondues, from cheese to chocolate, and an array of dippers to suit all tastes.

Dippers: bread, meats, fruits and vegetables

When it comes to hosting a fondue dinner party, the key to success is offering a variety of dippers for your guests to choose from. Here are some ideas for bread, meats, fruits, and vegetables that will make your fondue party a hit:

Bread

• French bread: The crusty exterior and airy interior make it perfect for scooping up cheese.
• Sourdough: Cut a round loaf into cubes; the tangy flavour will complement the cheese fondue.
• Bagels: Bite-sized and easy to handle, bagels offer a satisfying chewiness.
• Pumpernickel: This dark rye bread adds an earthy flavour to the fondue experience.
• Crostini: Long, thin bread crackers that are perfect for dipping.
• Pretzels: Crispy pretzels or chewy pretzel bites add a fun texture.
• Croutons: Store-bought or homemade, they add a satisfying crunch.
• Bagel chips: Crispy and perfect for scooping up fondue.
• Tortilla chips: Add a Mexican twist to your fondue.
• Toasted ravioli: Add some Italian interest; cooked pasta also works well.
• Pasta chips: Try making these in an air fryer for a crispy, delicious treat.

Meats

• Cured meats: Prosciutto, salami, and pepperoni add a salty, savoury element.
• Sausages: Try thinly sliced steak, Italian sausage, or bratwurst.
• Shrimp: A seafood twist; boiled shrimp works well.
• Chicken: Bite-sized pieces of cooked chicken add protein.

Fruits

• Apples: Zesty cheddar fondue pairs wonderfully with apples.
• Pears: A great option for chocolate fondue.
• Grapes: A classic fruit to accompany cheese.
• Strawberries: Another sweet option for chocolate fondue.
• Nectarines: Add a touch of sweetness and acidity.
• Persimmon: A unique, sweet fruit option.

Vegetables

• Broccoli florets: Try them cooked or raw.
• Cauliflower: Roast it or dip it raw.
• Baby carrots: Easy to handle and a refreshing element.
• Sugar snap peas: Another refreshing, crisp vegetable.
• Cherry tomatoes: Add a burst of sweetness.
• Cucumber: A fresh, crisp option.
• Carrot: Try it boiled or raw.
• Asparagus: A more unusual option.
• Brussels sprouts: Roast them first.
• Potatoes: Boil small potatoes or try French fries.

Remember to cut your dippers into bite-sized pieces to ensure they easily fit into the fondue pot and provide manageable portions for your guests. Happy dipping!

Drinks: beer, wine, bourbon

When it comes to drinks for your fondue dinner party, beer, wine, and bourbon are all excellent choices.

If you're serving cheese fondue, a lightweight beer like a Kolsch, pilsner, or IPA is a great option. These beers pair perfectly with the cheese, and you can even use beer instead of wine in your fondue recipe for something a little different. If you're looking for a wine to serve with your cheese fondue, go for a high-acid, chilled white wine. A dry and high-acid white wine, such as a Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, or an unoaked Chardonnay, will help cut through the richness of the cheese. Wines from the Savoy, Loire, and Rhone Valley regions, such as Abymes, Apremont, or Cheverny, are also excellent choices. Prosecco is another fun option for a cheese fondue, as the bubbles provide a light addition to the heavy cheese.

For chocolate fondue, a milk stout or porter is a perfect pairing, with their robust flavours matching the sweetness of the chocolate. A quality bourbon on the rocks is another amazing option, with its natural sweetness creating a rich flavour combination. If you're looking for a wine to pair with your chocolate fondue, a Pinot Noir or dessert wine is a good choice.

Don't forget that you can also incorporate drinks into your fondue! For a fun twist, try a beer cheese fondue by swapping out the wine in your recipe for some beer.

Dessert: chocolate fondue, caramel fondue

Dessert: Chocolate and Caramel Fondue

Preparation

Fondue is a great dessert to share with friends and family. It is an interactive and fun dish that will be loved by everyone. You can prepare the chocolate and caramel fondue in advance and store it in the fridge for up to a month. You can also freeze it for up to four months.

Ingredients

For the chocolate fondue, you will need:

• Chocolate (dark, milk, semi-sweet, or white)
• Whipping cream
• Assorted dippers (see below)

For the caramel fondue, you will need:

• Soft caramels
• Heavy cream
• Sea salt
• Assorted dippers (see below)

Utensils

• Medium saucepan
• Fondue pot (optional)
• Small crock pot or ceramic serving dish
• Forks and plates for each guest

Method

To make the chocolate fondue, simply combine the chocolate and whipping cream in a medium saucepan over low heat. Stir until the chocolate is melted, and add more cream if needed to achieve a smooth consistency. Do not let the mixture boil. If desired, you can add extra ingredients to your chocolate fondue, such as peanut butter or marshmallow fluff.

The caramel fondue is just as easy to make. Combine the caramels and heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until the caramel is fully melted. Then, stir in the sea salt.

Dippers

The best part about fondue is the variety of dippers you can choose from! Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Fresh fruit: Strawberries, orange segments, pineapple, pears, apples, bananas, dried apricots, mango, and papaya
• Cookies: Vanilla wafers, biscotti, Oreos, or your favorite cookie variety
• Cake: Angel food cake or pound cake cut into cubes
• Pretzels
• Marshmallows
• Cheesecake
• Brownies
• Candy: Red licorice or jelly beans
• Potato chips
• Graham crackers
• Vanilla ice cream

Tips

• If you don't have a fondue pot, you can serve the fondue in a small crock pot or a ceramic serving dish to keep it warm.
• Provide each guest with their own plate and fork to avoid double-dipping.
• Remind guests to use their fork to dip and then place the food on their plate before eating.
• For a fun twist, follow the Swiss tradition: if someone drops their dipper into the fondue, they have to kiss their neighbor or buy a round of drinks for everyone!

Prep: cut food into bite-sized pieces, arrange on large platters

When preparing food for a fondue dinner party, it's important to cut the food into bite-sized pieces to ensure they easily fit into the fondue pot and provide manageable portions for your guests. Here are some ideas for preparing and arranging food on large platters for a fondue dinner party:

Breads and Crackers

Cut French bread, sourdough, bagels, pumpernickel bread, and crostini into bite-sized pieces or cubes. Arrange these on a large platter or board, ensuring they are easily accessible to your guests.

Dippers for More Flavor and Texture

For added texture and flavor, include crispy pretzels, chewy pretzel bites, croutons, bagel chips, tortilla chips, toasted ravioli, and pasta chips. Arrange these on a separate platter to offer a variety of dipping options.

Vegetables

Broccoli florets, baby carrots, sugar snap peas, cherry tomatoes, asparagus, potatoes, and cauliflower are all great vegetable options. Cut them into bite-sized pieces and arrange them on a platter, keeping the colors vibrant and fresh.

Fruits

Sliced apples, pears, grapes, nectarines, persimmons, and strawberries add a touch of sweetness and acidity to your fondue. Arrange these on a platter, ensuring they complement the other food items.

Meats

Cured meats such as prosciutto, salami, and pepperoni, as well as cooked sausages like Italian sausage or bratwurst, are great savory additions. You can also offer thinly sliced steak, shrimp, grilled beef or chicken, and cooked ham or turkey. Arrange these meats on a separate platter, providing a variety of protein options for your guests.

Etiquette: no double dipping, use a plate, don't use fingers

When hosting a fondue dinner party, it's important to ensure that your guests know the proper fondue etiquette to avoid any mishaps or misunderstandings. Here are some essential etiquette tips to keep in mind, especially if you're serving cheese fondue:

No Double Dipping: Double dipping is a common fondue party no-no. To avoid this, provide each guest with their own fondue fork and a regular appetizer fork, along with a small plate. This way, they can use the fondue fork for dipping and then place the food on their plate before using the regular fork to eat.

Use a Plate: It's important to remind your guests not to eat directly from the fondue fork. They should place the dipped food on their small plate and then use their regular fork to eat. This helps to keep the dinner party germ-free and avoids any unsightly lip-smacking around the fondue fork!

Don't Use Fingers: Fondue is meant to be eaten with forks, so remind your guests not to touch the food with their fingers. This is especially important when dealing with hot cheese or oil to avoid any accidental burns.

In addition to these etiquette tips, it's a good idea to have a variety of dippers available for your guests. Classics like bite-sized bread, apples, and cured meats are always a hit, but you can also offer unique options like crispy sourdough, prosciutto, cucumbers, or even french fries.

By following these simple etiquette guidelines and providing a delightful array of dippers, your fondue dinner party is sure to be a fun and memorable experience for all!

Frequently asked questions