Brie Fondue: Perfect Pairing Ideas For A Melty Feast

Brie fondue is a fun and interactive way to entertain a group and is perfect for romantic dinners or simple meals. It is a versatile dish that works for date nights, small gatherings, or as a party appetiser. But what should you serve with it? The options are endless! You can go for bread cubes, apple slices, grapes, or even something more indulgent like baguette slices, French bread, or sourdough. If you want to add some colour to your platter, consider roasted vegetables like butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, or asparagus spears. For something more savoury, try smoked sausage or dried apricots and pecans. And if you're feeling really fancy, you can sprinkle red pepper flakes, cinnamon, herbs, or cracked black peppercorns on top. So, get your fondue pot ready and enjoy the cheesy goodness of brie fondue with all your favourite dippers!

Breads: French, sourdough, baguette, focaccia, ciabatta, etc

Bread is a classic fondue side and a great vehicle for that creamy brie fondue. There are several types of bread that work well with brie fondue, including French bread, sourdough, baguette, focaccia, and ciabatta.

French bread is a versatile choice and pairs well with the mild and buttery taste of brie. It can be cut into cubes or torn into pieces for dipping. Sourdough is another excellent option, offering a slightly tangy flavour and a chewy texture that stands up to the fondue. For a more traditional fondue experience, a baguette is a great choice, providing a crispy texture and a neutral flavour that lets the brie shine.

Focaccia and ciabatta are also worth considering. Focaccia is a flat, Italian-style bread that is often seasoned with herbs and can add a nice flavour dimension to the fondue. Ciabatta, another Italian bread, is similar to French bread but with a more open crumb structure, giving it a lighter texture.

To elevate your bread choices, consider brushing them with olive oil and melted butter and seasoning them with herbs before baking until lightly toasted and golden brown. This will add flavour and provide a delightful contrast of textures to your brie fondue.

Fruits: Apples, pears, grapes

Fruits are a fantastic option to serve alongside a brie fondue, offering a refreshing contrast to the rich, creamy cheese. Apples, pears, and grapes are all excellent choices, providing a sweet and juicy bite that pairs beautifully with the mild, buttery flavour of the brie.

Apples

Apples are a particularly popular choice to serve with brie fondue. The crispness and slight tartness of apple slices provide a refreshing counterpoint to the creaminess of the cheese. Granny Smith apples, with their tart, crisp flavour, are an especially good variety to consider.

Pears

Like apples, pears offer a sweet and juicy contrast to the savoury fondue. Their soft texture and subtle flavour also make them an excellent choice for dipping.

Grapes

Grapes are another refreshing fruit option to serve with brie fondue. Their small size makes them easy to skewer and dip, and their sweet, tangy flavour can help balance the richness of the cheese.

When serving fruit with brie fondue, consider providing a separate fondue pot filled with a gluten-free option to accommodate guests with dietary restrictions. This will also help prevent cross-contamination for those who may have allergies or intolerances.

Vegetables: Broccoli, asparagus, butternut squash, bell peppers, etc

Vegetables are a great option to serve alongside brie fondue. Here are some ideas for vegetables that will complement the creamy cheese dip:

Broccoli

Broccoli is a healthy and versatile vegetable that can be served raw or steamed. When preparing raw broccoli, cut it into small florets that are easy to dip into the fondue. If you prefer steamed broccoli, be sure to cook it just enough so that it retains a slight crunch. Overcooking can make broccoli soggy and unappetizing. You can also try oven-roasting the broccoli florets with a drizzle of olive oil and your favourite herbs and spices for added flavour.

Asparagus

Asparagus spears are another delicious option to dip into brie fondue. Similar to broccoli, you can serve asparagus raw or lightly steamed. If you opt for raw asparagus, be sure to trim the ends and rinse the spears before serving. For a more elegant presentation, try wrapping the asparagus spears with thin slices of prosciutto or bacon and roasting them in the oven until tender.

Butternut Squash

Butternut squash is a sweet and hearty vegetable that pairs well with the creamy brie fondue. To prepare, simply peel and cut the squash into cubes or slices. You can roast them in the oven with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper until tender and slightly caramelized. Butternut squash can also be steamed or boiled, but roasting brings out its natural sweetness.

Bell Peppers

Bell peppers come in various colours, including red, yellow, green, and orange, adding a vibrant touch to your brie fondue spread. Cut the bell peppers into strips or slices, removing the seeds and white ribs. You can serve them raw, or if you prefer a softer texture, roast them in the oven with a light coating of olive oil.

Other Vegetable Ideas

In addition to the vegetables mentioned above, here are some extra suggestions:

• Cauliflower florets
• Cherry tomatoes
• Zucchini slices
• Summer squash slices
• Steamed mushrooms

When preparing vegetables to serve with brie fondue, feel free to get creative and experiment with different cooking methods and seasonings. You can also provide a variety of dips and sauces on the side for even more flavour options.

Meat: Smoked sausage, prosciutto, shrimp, ham

When it comes to meat, there are several options that pair well with brie fondue. Smoked sausage is a popular choice, as the smokiness of the meat complements the creamy, mild flavour of the brie. You can roast the sausage beforehand, or serve it raw, providing fondue forks or skewers for easy dipping.

Prosciutto is another delicious meat option to serve with brie fondue. Its saltiness and crispiness create a nice contrast to the creamy texture and mild taste of the fondue. You can even add it directly to the fondue, as in the Fondue-Ricotta & Brie recipe, where prosciutto is browned with olive oil and then whisked together with ricotta and heavy cream.

Shrimp is also a great choice to accompany brie fondue. Pre-cooked, tail-on shrimp are perfect for dipping, as the tails act as handles, eliminating the need for a fondue fork. You can also try Camembert & Shrimp Stuffed Shells as a side dish to accompany your brie fondue.

Finally, ham is a versatile meat option that goes well with brie fondue. You can serve it in the form of ham cubes for dipping, or try a more elaborate dish like Crab and Ham Fondue, which combines the flavours of crabmeat and ham with melted brie.

Nuts: Dried apricots and pecans, sliced almonds

Nuts are a great option to serve alongside a brie fondue. Dried apricots and pecans, in particular, make for a delicious pairing. The sweetness of the dried apricots beautifully complements the creamy, buttery flavour of the brie, while the pecans add a satisfying crunch and texture to the dish.

When preparing the apricots, it is best to slice them into thin pieces, making them easier to dip into the fondue. You can also try steaming the apricots to make them softer and even more flavourful. As for the pecans, toasting them beforehand can enhance their flavour and make them crispier.

Another option is to use sliced almonds, which also pair well with brie fondue. Almonds have a milder flavour compared to pecans, but they still provide a nice crunch and texture. Toasting the almonds can also enhance their flavour and make them crispier.

You can also get creative and combine different types of nuts, dried fruits, and other ingredients to create a unique and personalised brie fondue experience. For example, you could make a mix of dried apricots, pecans, and sliced almonds, or experiment with other combinations to find your favourite pairing.

Remember to arrange the nuts and dried fruits on a platter or board, providing a variety of options for your guests to choose from. This way, they can create their own flavour combinations and enjoy the brie fondue to its fullest potential.

Frequently asked questions