Fondue's Perfect Partners: A Guide To Delicious Dippers

Cheese fondue is a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer, main course, or dessert. It is made by melting cheese with wine and spices, and people can dip almost anything into it. The most popular dipper for cheese fondue is bread, especially French bread, breadsticks, and croutons. Other popular dippers include vegetables, fruits, and meats. When serving cheese fondue, it is important to provide a variety of dippers to make it a complete meal.

Bread

There are many types of bread that go well with fondue, including French bread, baguettes, sourdough, rye, pumpernickel, bagels, and pretzel bread. Breadsticks, croutons, and crackers are also great options for dipping. If you're feeling adventurous, try a unique type of bread such as a rustic cranberry walnut loaf.

When preparing your bread for fondue, be sure to cut it into large cubes and lightly toast it, especially if you're using a softer variety of bread. This will ensure that your bread holds up to the weight of the cheese and doesn't fall apart in the pot.

Meat

When it comes to serving meat fondue, there are a variety of options to choose from. Meat fondue is a delightful way to bring people together and share a delicious meal. Here are some meat options to serve with fondue:

Beef

Beef fondue, also known as "fondue Bourguignonne," is a popular choice. It typically consists of beef cubes or strips cooked in hot oil or a combination of butter and oil. Tender cuts of beef, such as tenderloin, strip, sirloin, or filet mignon, are ideal for fondue. The beef should be trimmed of visible fat and connective tissue and cut into small, bite-sized pieces. You can also offer raw king prawns as a tasty addition to beef fondue.

Chicken

Chicken is a versatile option that can be served cooked or thinly sliced and cooked in the fondue pot. Poached chicken can be paired with herbs and spices and dipped in cheese fondue for a filling meal. Chicken is a great way to add protein to your fondue and can be easily customised with various seasonings and sauces.

Pork

Pork is another popular choice for meat fondue. Thinly sliced pork, similar to beef and chicken, can be cooked in the fondue pot with your favourite marinade or dipping sauce. Pork pairs well with a variety of sauces, such as barbecue sauce, honey mustard, or teriyaki sauce.

Lamb

Lamb is also well-suited for meat fondue. Like beef, lamb benefits from being cut into bite-sized cubes before cooking in the fondue pot. Lamb has a distinct flavour that can be enhanced by various sauces and dips.

Other Meats

In addition to the main options listed above, you can also offer other meats such as sausage, pepperoni, bacon, ham, or meatballs. These meats can be served as part of the fondue or as side dishes. For example, sausage slices or meatballs can be cooked in the fondue pot or served as appetisers.

When serving meat fondue, it is essential to provide a variety of dipping sauces and side dishes to enhance the flavours of the meat. A crisp green salad is also a great accompaniment to the fondue.

Vegetables

If you're looking for raw vegetables to dip, try celery, fennel spears, carrots, and cherry tomatoes. You could also serve pickled vegetables, such as pearl onions, pickles, and sweet gherkins, which have been patted dry.

If you want to serve roasted vegetables, asparagus, broccoli, bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, carrots, and zucchini are all tasty options. You could also steam vegetables like green beans, pearl onions, radishes, and potatoes.

For sautéed vegetables, artichoke hearts and mushrooms are delicious.

If you're looking for something quick and easy, boil or roast whole baby potatoes, or lightly steam or blanch broccoli, cauliflower, and asparagus.

Other great options include raw or roasted bell peppers, boiled fingerling potatoes, raw cauliflower florets, mini grape tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, radishes, celery, and Belgian endives.

And don't forget, broccoli and cheese are best friends!

Fruits

Apples

Apples are a classic fruit choice for fondue. The crunchy, crisp tartness of apples pairs perfectly with melted cheese. Granny Smith apples, with their crisp texture and tart flavour, are especially good. Alternatively, Bosc pears, with their nutmeg and cinnamon undertones, can bring out the spices often found in fondues.

Pears

Like apples, pears offer a nice contrast of temperatures and textures when paired with warm, gooey fondue. Their sweet flavour and juicy texture make them perfect for dipping.

Grapes

Grapes are another excellent choice for fondue. They are small and easy to eat, and their sweet flavour and juicy texture will delight your taste buds.

Stone Fruits

Stone fruits, such as nectarines, peaches, and plums, can also be a tasty addition to your fondue spread. Just remove the pits and cut them into bite-sized pieces, and you're good to go!

Berries

Strawberries, in particular, are a popular choice for fondue. Their sweetness and juiciness will add a delightful touch to your fondue experience. Other berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, can also be enjoyable, although their smaller size may make them a bit more challenging to dip.

Melons

Melons, such as cantaloupe or honeydew, can also be a refreshing and sweet addition to your fondue spread. Cut them into bite-sized pieces, and you'll have a tasty, healthy treat to dip into the cheese.

Dried Fruits

In addition to fresh fruits, dried fruits can also be a tasty option for fondue. Apricots and figs, in particular, are worth considering. Their chewy texture and concentrated sweetness can make them a delightful contrast to the savoury cheese.

Crackers and Chips

When it comes to crackers, wheat crackers or other types of crunchy crackers can be a great option. They provide a sturdy base for dipping and can add a nice textural contrast to the creamy fondue. Wheat crackers, in particular, can also add a bit of extra fibre to your meal.

For chips, tortilla chips are an excellent choice. They are sturdy enough for dipping and their triangular shape makes them easy to pick up and swirl through the fondue. If you want to get creative, you can even make your own tortilla chips by cutting tortillas into triangles and frying or baking them until crispy. This way, you can customise the size, thickness, and even the flavour of your chips.

Another chip option is potato chips. However, it's important to note that thick-cut or ridged potato chips may hold up better to dipping than thinner, crisp varieties, which could break apart in the fondue. If you're looking for a more unique option, you could try making your own potato chips by thinly slicing potatoes and frying or baking them until crispy. This way, you can control the thickness and seasoning of your chips.

In addition to wheat crackers and tortilla chips, there are also other types of crackers and chips that can complement your fondue. For example, pretzels, whether soft or hard, are a natural pairing with cheese. You could also try bagel chips, which offer a similar texture to pretzels, or even venture into more unusual options like beetroot or carrot chips for a healthier, vegetable-based chip.

When preparing crackers and chips for fondue, it's important to consider the size and shape of your dippers. Long, thin crackers or chips can be easier to dip, especially if they can be partially submerged in the fondue without the need for a skewer. You may also want to consider providing a variety of cracker and chip options to add interest and texture to your fondue experience.

Frequently asked questions