Cheese Fondue Dinner: Perfect Pairing Ideas For A Melty Feast

Cheese fondue is a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer, main course, or dessert. It is a perfect dish for cheese enthusiasts, combining melted cheese with wine and herbs and spices. The best cheeses for fondue are light and melt beautifully, such as gouda, gruyere, swiss, and fontina. The key to a successful fondue dinner is to offer a wide variety of dippers, including vegetables, meat, and carbs, so that your guests can create their own perfect bite.

Bread: French bread, sourdough, baguette, pretzels, bagels, croutons, tortilla chips, crackers

Bread is a classic side dish for fondue, and for good reason. It soaks up the warm, creamy cheese, creating a delicious combination. But not all bread is created equal when it comes to fondue. Here are some tips and suggestions for choosing the perfect bread to serve with your fondue dinner:

Types of Bread

• French bread: A classic choice for fondue, French bread has a crispy crust and a soft interior that soaks up the cheese perfectly.
• Sourdough: With its tangy flavour and chewy texture, sourdough bread makes an excellent choice for fondue.
• Baguette: A French baguette is a great option, as it can be easily torn into bite-sized pieces for dipping.
• Pretzels: Soft pretzels can be a fun alternative to bread, and their salty flavour pairs well with cheese.
• Bagels: Bagels have a dense texture that can hold up to the cheese, and their hole in the middle provides the perfect opportunity for a cheesy bite.
• Croutons: Croutons are essentially small, cubed pieces of toasted bread, which makes them ideal for dipping into fondue.
• Tortilla chips: While not technically a bread, tortilla chips can add a crunchy texture and are perfect for those who want a gluten-free option.
• Crackers: Like tortilla chips, crackers provide a crispy contrast to the creamy cheese and are also a good gluten-free choice.

Preparation

When using bread for fondue, it's important to toast it lightly before serving. This helps the bread hold its shape and prevents it from falling apart in the cheese. Cut or tear the bread into bite-sized pieces to make it easier for your guests to dip.

Presentation

Fondue is typically served in a communal pot, with guests using long-stemmed forks to dip their bread into the cheese. Provide a small plate for each guest, where they can place their dipped bread before eating it with a regular fork. This helps to keep the dinner sanitary and prevents double-dipping.

So, there you have it! The perfect bread choices and preparation methods to elevate your fondue dinner to the next level. Now, your guests can soak up every last bit of that cheesy goodness.

Fruit: apples, pears, pineapple, grapes, apricots, peaches, oranges

Fruits are a fantastic way to round off a fondue dinner, offering a refreshing contrast to the rich, savoury cheese. Here are some fruit options to serve with fondue:

Apples

Apples are a classic fondue side, offering a crisp, crunchy texture and a tart flavour that pairs perfectly with melted cheese. Cut apples into slices and lay them out for guests to dip as they please.

Pears

Pears offer a similar texture to apples but with a milder, sweeter flavour. They are a great option for those who prefer their fruit less tart. Like apples, they can be sliced and served as a refreshing dipper for the fondue.

Pineapple

Pineapple is a more unusual choice, but its sweet, tangy flavour and juicy texture can be a delightful addition to a fondue spread. It also adds a vibrant pop of colour to the table.

Grapes

Grapes are another refreshing option, offering a burst of sweetness that can help balance the savouriness of the fondue. They are also a convenient option, as they require no slicing or preparation.

Apricots and peaches

Apricots and peaches are stone fruits with a soft, juicy texture and a sweet, slightly tangy flavour. They are a great option for those who prefer their fruit on the sweeter side.

Oranges

Oranges offer a bright, citrusy flavour that can help refresh the palate between bites of fondue. They can be peeled and separated into segments for easy eating.

Meat: ham, sausage, salami, chicken, steak, shrimp, meatballs, crab, lobster

Meat fondue is a delightful way to bring people together for a meal. Here are some ideas for what meats to serve and what to serve with them.

Ham, Sausage, and Salami

Cured meats like ham, sausage, salami, and kielbasa are great options for a meat fondue. They add a bit of spice and flavour to your fondue pot. These meats are typically already cooked, so you don't need to worry about cooking them in the fondue pot, but you can heat them up in the hot oil or broth if you'd like.

Chicken

Chicken is a versatile option for fondue. You can serve it as bite-sized pieces of grilled or poached chicken, or you can cook it in the fondue pot. If you're cooking it in the fondue pot, cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and cook it in hot oil or broth for a few minutes until it's no longer pink in the centre.

Steak

Steak is a classic choice for meat fondue. Look for tender cuts of beef, such as tenderloin, strip, or sirloin. Cut the steak into small cubes or strips, and cook it in the hot oil or broth for a couple of minutes until it's done to your liking.

Shrimp

Shrimp is a great option for fondue, especially if you're looking for something a bit more elegant or special. You can cook the shrimp in the hot oil or broth, or serve it steamed as part of a platter of dippers.

Meatballs

Meatballs are a fun and casual option for a fondue dinner. You can cook them ahead of time and serve them as part of a platter of dippers, or you can cook them in the fondue pot. If cooking them in the fondue pot, use small meatballs so they cook through evenly.

Crab and Lobster

For a luxurious fondue experience, consider serving steamed crab or lobster as part of your dippers. These can be served alongside other seafood options like shrimp or as part of a larger selection of dippers.

What to Serve with Meat Fondue

When it comes to sides and accompaniments for your meat fondue, there are several options to choose from:

• Bread is a popular choice for dipping into cheese fondue. Try French bread, breadsticks, croutons, multigrain bread, rye, sourdough, or even something unique like a cranberry walnut loaf.
• Vegetables: asparagus, broccoli, bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, carrots, zucchini, green beans, pearl onions, radishes, baby potatoes, artichoke hearts, and mushrooms are all great options.
• Salads: a simple green salad or a wedge salad can complement the richness of the fondue.
• Potatoes: baby potatoes, mashed potatoes, or baked potatoes are all great choices to serve with fondue.
• Sauces: it's customary to serve three sauces with fondue, such as creamy horseradish sauce, mustard-based sauces, or bearnaise.

Remember to cook any raw meats thoroughly before consuming and enjoy your fondue feast!

Vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, asparagus, pickles, mushrooms, carrots, green beans

Vegetables are a great option to serve alongside a fondue dinner, adding a bit of freshness and nutrition to the meal. Here are some ideas for vegetables that will go well with fondue:

Broccoli

Broccoli is a popular choice to serve with fondue, as it pairs well with cheese. You can serve it raw or steam it first for a smoother taste. Lightly steamed or blanched broccoli florets can be easily dipped into the fondue pot.

Cauliflower

Cauliflower is another vegetable that goes well with fondue. You can serve it raw or roast it in the oven with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic. Roasted cauliflower florets provide a nice contrast in texture and taste to the melted cheese.

Bell Peppers

Bell peppers, especially a combination of green, red, and yellow peppers, add colour and extra flavour to the fondue experience. Thinly slice the peppers into long strips to make them easier to dip without skewers.

Asparagus

Roasted asparagus is a delicious option to serve with fondue. It can be easily prepared in the oven while you're prepping everything else.

Pickles

Pickles, also known as gherkins, provide a nice acidic contrast to the richness of the fondue. They can be served as a dipping alternative to bread or on the side.

Mushrooms

Roasted or raw mushrooms are another vegetable option to serve with fondue. Slice them into bite-sized pieces or leave them whole, depending on your preference.

Carrots

Carrots, especially baby carrots, are a popular choice to serve with fondue. They can be served raw or lightly steamed.

Green Beans

Green beans are mentioned as a side dish option to serve with fondue, but they could also be prepared in a way that makes them easier to dip into the fondue.

Salads: arugula, tomato, cucumber, red wine vinegar dressing

Salads are a great way to balance out the heaviness of a fondue dinner. A bright salad with arugula, tomato, and cucumber, dressed with red wine vinegar, is a perfect side dish to complement the rich and indulgent nature of fondue.

Arugula, also known as rocket, is a leafy green vegetable with a peppery and slightly nutty flavour. It adds a nice bite and texture to the salad, creating a refreshing contrast to the melted cheese.

Tomatoes are a versatile fruit that can be used in various dishes. They provide a juicy and tangy flavour, along with a vibrant red colour that makes the salad more appealing.

Cucumbers offer a refreshing and hydrating element to the salad. They have a mild, crisp taste and a crunchy texture, which pairs well with the other ingredients.

Red wine vinegar is a popular choice for salad dressings, as it adds a tangy and slightly sweet flavour. It also helps to cut through the richness of the fondue, creating a well-rounded dining experience.

When serving this salad, it is important to ensure that the ingredients are fresh and crisp. The combination of arugula, tomato, and cucumber creates a vibrant and nutritious side dish that will enhance the overall flavour profile of your fondue dinner.

Frequently asked questions