Randy Chandler
Fondue is a fun and interactive way to enjoy a meal with friends and family. While cheese fondue is often enjoyed with bread, vegetables, or meats cooked in hot oil, some may be hesitant to cook raw meat in hot cheese. To cook meat for cheese fondue, it is recommended to heat oil or broth in a fondue pot to cook the meat to the desired level of doneness before dipping it into the cheese fondue. This guide will explore the steps to prepare and cook meat for a delicious and entertaining cheese fondue experience.
How to cook meat for cheese fondue
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat type | Beef, steak, filet mignon |
| Meat preparation | Cut steak into 3/4-inch to 1-inch cubes, allow filet mignon to come to room temperature |
| Meat cooking method | Heat oil or broth in a fondue pot to 190°C |
| Meat cooking time | 25-30 seconds for rare, 30-35 seconds for medium, 45-60 seconds for well done |
| Meat serving suggestion | Dunk cooked meat in sauces, pile onto bread |
| Fondue pot type | Electric, ceramic, or cast iron |
| Fondue preparation | Grate cheese, refrigerate vegetables, cook and refrigerate bacon |
| Fondue cheese type | Gruyere, gouda, sharp cheddar, parmesan |
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What You'll Learn
Use a fondue pot or saucepan
While a fondue pot is not necessary to make cheese fondue, it does add flair to the experience. A fondue pot is helpful because it keeps the fondue warm throughout the meal. If you don't use a fondue pot, you'll need to keep returning the pot to the stove to rewarm the fondue.
There are two main types of fondue pots: electric and ceramic or cast iron. An electric fondue pot is easy to control temperature-wise, and can be used for cheese, chocolate, and oil-based fondues. However, it requires a power outlet nearby and can be tricky to wash. A ceramic or cast iron fondue pot, on the other hand, doesn't require a power outlet but may be more difficult to find.
If you're using a fondue pot, it's important to preheat it slightly and fill it with hot water before adding the cheese mix. This will help to maintain the temperature of the fondue. Fill the fondue pot with hot water, cover it, and let it stand for about 5 minutes. Then, pour out the water and dry the pot thoroughly before adding the cheese.
If you don't have a fondue pot, you can use a saucepan to melt the cheese on the stove before transferring it to a serving dish. This method is often recommended by fondue pot manufacturers. It's important to note that you should not cook meat in the cheese fondue itself, as it requires the hotness of oil. Instead, heat oil or broth in a separate saucepan or fondue pot to cook the meat.
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Prepare sauces in advance
Preparing sauces in advance is a great way to save time when cooking meat for cheese fondue. It is recommended that you make some sauces yourself and buy the rest. Here are some sauce recipes that you can prepare ahead of time:
Horseradish sauce: Mix 1 tablespoon of grated horseradish with 3 tablespoons of sour cream, the juice of 1 lemon, and a pinch of salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Chill this sauce until you are ready to serve it.
White wine vinegar sauce: Combine 3 tablespoons of white wine vinegar with 2 teaspoons of sugar, 1 grated garlic clove, and 1 finely chopped medium red chilli. Set this sauce aside until needed.
Herb sauce: Put a handful each of parsley, basil, mint, coriander, and tarragon into a blender, along with 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 4 anchovies, and 1 grated garlic clove. Blend until smooth.
Lemon-mustard mayo sauce: Mix 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise with the juice of 1 lemon, 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard, and 1 grated garlic clove. Chill this sauce until you are ready to serve.
In addition to preparing sauces, you can also cut up the meat and vegetables ahead of time. For meat fondue, cut the steak into 3/4-inch to 1-inch cubes. If you are serving vegetables with your fondue, chop them into dipper-sized pieces. You can also cook and refrigerate bacon to use as a dipper for the cheese fondue.
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Heat oil to 190°C
Heating oil to 190°C for a fondue requires caution and the right equipment. Firstly, choose a suitable oil for heating to such high temperatures. Opt for a neutral-flavoured oil with a high smoke point, such as canola, peanut, grapeseed, rice bran, avocado, coconut, or sunflower seed oil. Avoid olive oil, as it has a strong flavour and a relatively low smoke point.
Now, prepare your equipment. You will need a fondue pot, preferably metal, that can withstand high-heat cooking. A standard fondue pot can be used, but a candle won't provide enough heat. Instead, use a gel or electric burner, such as Sterno Cooking Fuel, alcohol gel, or an electric heating unit. Ensure that the area around the pot is clean and clear of any flammable materials.
Next, fill the pot with oil, but no more than halfway to two-thirds full. The oil will expand and bubble when heated, and overfilling can lead to dangerous spills. Place the pot over high heat and heat the oil to 190°C. This will take around 10 to 15 minutes. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature. If you don't have a thermometer, you can test the oil's readiness by placing a small cube of bread into the oil; if it browns in less than a minute, the oil is ready.
Once the oil reaches 190°C, carefully move the hot pot to the fondue stand or a portable burner. Keep the heat on low to maintain the temperature at around 190°C. Now, you're ready to cook your meat fondue!
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Cook meat for 25-60 seconds
Cooking meat for cheese fondue requires hot oil, as cooking the meat in the cheese fondue itself does not work well. The oil should be heated to around 190°C, or until a cube of bread takes about 30 seconds to brown.
Meat should be cut into small pieces before cooking. Steak, for example, should be cut into 3/4-inch to 1-inch cubes. Meat should be cooked in the hot oil for 25-30 seconds for rare, 30-35 seconds for medium, and 45-60 seconds for well done.
Meat fondue is a fun, leisurely meal that is great for a romantic dinner or a slow family meal. It is a good dish for a crowd, and can be served with sauces, bread, salad, and vegetables. It is important to take care when cooking with hot oil.
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Serve with bread, salad, and vegetables
When serving a meat fondue, it is recommended to serve it with bread, salad, and vegetables. You can prepare some sauces in advance and place them in little bowls around the fondue burner, along with the meat, bread, and salad.
For the bread, you can use a baguette. Cut the baguette into slices and place them on a baking sheet. Cook for 10-12 minutes in an oven preheated to 350°F until lightly toasted. You can also provide rolls or other types of bread, such as a baugette, to dip into the fondue.
For the salad, it is recommended to prepare it in advance and serve it as a side dish with the fondue. This can help minimize comments about hunger while the meat is cooking.
For the vegetables, you can chop them into small pieces and provide them as dippers for the fondue. Good options include cherry tomatoes, sliced red bell peppers, carrots, roasted baby potatoes, steamed broccoli, and pickles. You can also serve raw king prawns to cook in the fondue, providing a unique and romantic dining experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Meat for cheese fondue is best cooked by heating oil to 190°C in a fondue pot and frying the meat in it. Do not cook the meat in the cheese fondue, as this will not work well.
Steak is a good option for cheese fondue. Cut the steak into 3/4 inch to 1-inch cubes and fry in the hot oil for 25-30 seconds for rare, 30-35 seconds for medium, and 45-60 seconds for well done.
Bacon is a tasty addition to cheese fondue. It is best to bake the bacon in the oven beforehand so it is crisp and will not break off in the pot. Other options include meatballs, prawns, and vegetables such as asparagus.
Fondue is usually made with mellow, creamy cheeses such as Gruyere. However, you can also use sharper cheeses such as aged gouda.
