Kamil Perry
Swiss cheese fondue is a simple yet indulgent dish that is perfect for sharing with friends and family. The traditional Swiss recipe uses three key ingredients: cheese, garlic, and white wine. The type of cheese used is typically a combination of traditional, firm mountain-style Swiss cheeses such as Gruyère, Emmentaler, and Swiss cheese itself. To make the fondue, the inside of the pot is rubbed with garlic, and then the cheese is melted with the wine and seasoned. The fondue is then served with cubed bread, meat, potatoes, sliced fruit and vegetables, or pretzels, providing a fun and interactive dining experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese | Gruyere, Swiss, Gouda, Fontina, Emmentaler, Raclette, Vacherin, Cheddar, Reblochon |
| Other ingredients | White wine, lemon juice, kirsch, cornflour, nutmeg, black pepper, garlic |
| Dippers | Bread, meat, potatoes, apples, carrots, broccoli, pickles, croutons, breadsticks, pretzels |
| Pot | Steel or cast iron, medium-sized (2-quart), with an enameled interior |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right pot
When it comes to choosing the right pot for your Swiss cheese fondue, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, the size of the pot is important. A medium-sized pot (around 2 quarts) is typically recommended for a classic Swiss cheese fondue. This size allows for a generous portion for a small group of people.
The material of the pot is another key factor. Stainless steel or cast iron are optimal choices for fondue pots. These materials have excellent heat retention properties, ensuring your fondue stays warm and evenly cooked. They are also durable and can last a lifetime with proper care. Additionally, cast iron pots offer a rustic aesthetic that enhances the fondue experience. If you opt for a cast-iron pot, look for one with an enameled interior, which can make cleaning easier. Some models may even be dishwasher-safe.
Another option is an electric fondue pot, which features a built-in heating element. While this type of pot may be more convenient in terms of temperature control, it lacks the traditional charm of a cast-iron pot.
When preparing your Swiss cheese fondue, it's essential to rub the inside of the pot with garlic. This step adds flavour to your fondue and is a key component of the recipe. After rubbing the pot with garlic, you can follow the rest of your chosen recipe, adding wine, cheese, and other ingredients to create your delicious fondue.
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Preparing the ingredients
For the wine, a crisp, lightly chilled French Sauvignon Blanc or Muscadet is a good choice. You can also use beef broth instead of wine if you prefer. To add some extra flavour, you can include lemon juice, cornstarch, and kirsch. The garlic clove should be cut in half, with the cut halves rubbed over the inside of the fondue pot. Finely chop the remaining garlic to add to the pan.
You'll also need to prepare the items you'll be dipping into your fondue. Traditionally, only chunks of bread are dipped into a Swiss cheese fondue, preferably rustic sourdough or French bread. However, you can also serve it with meat, potatoes, sliced fruit like apples or pears, vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, or carrots, croutons, breadsticks, or pretzels.
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Heating the wine
When it comes to heating the wine for your Swiss cheese fondue, there are a few important steps to follow to ensure a delicious and safe outcome. Here's a detailed guide:
Start by selecting a dry white wine, such as a Swiss Fendant or a crisp Sauvignon Blanc. You'll need about two cups of wine for a standard fondue recipe. Pour the wine into a stainless-steel or ceramic fondue pot—avoid using aluminum or cast iron, as they can react with the acid in the wine and affect the flavor. Place the pot on your stove over medium heat. You want to bring the wine to a gentle simmer, not a rolling boil. Stir the wine occasionally with a wooden spoon as it heats up to ensure even heating.
It's important that you heat the wine slowly and gently. Boiling or overheating the wine can cause it to reduce too much and become bitter, which will affect the taste of your fondue. Once you see small bubbles starting to form around the edges of the pot, that's a good indication that your wine is ready. At this point, you should have a warm, fragrant base for your fondue.
If you're using a fondue burner, light it now and adjust the flame to a medium setting. Place the pot with the heated wine on top of the burner. This will keep the wine at a steady, gentle heat while you prepare the next steps of the fondue. Heating the wine is a crucial step in making Swiss cheese fondue, as it forms the base of your dish and helps create that creamy, dreamy texture when combined with the cheese.
Remember, the key to this step is patience and gentle heating for the best flavor and texture in your final fondue.
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Adding cheese and seasoning
To make a classic Swiss cheese fondue, you'll need a mix of traditional, firm mountain-style cheeses. The best all-around cheeses for fondue are fontina, Gruyère, and gouda. For a classic Swiss cheese fondue, you can use Gruyere cheese, Swiss cheese, and gouda. Other good choices include Emmentaler (a variety of Swiss cheese), raclette, vacherin, and reblochon.
Before adding the cheese, rub the inside of the fondue pot with garlic halves. You can also finely chop another garlic clove and add it to the pan. Next, add the wine and heat over medium heat until hot but not boiling. Then, stir in lemon juice and kirsch.
Add a handful of cheese at a time to the wine mixture, stirring constantly and not adding more cheese until the previous batch has melted. Keep adding cheese until the mixture has the appearance of a light creamy sauce. Season with nutmeg, pepper, and salt.
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Serving suggestions
Swiss cheese fondue is a simple meal best enjoyed with friends and family. It is traditionally served with chunks of bread, but there are many other foods you can serve with it. Here are some serving suggestions:
Bread
Bread is the traditional accompaniment to Swiss cheese fondue. Crusty bread cubes, French bread, sourdough bread, baguette, and gluten-free bread are all excellent options.
Fruits and Vegetables
For a refreshing contrast to the rich fondue, serve it with sliced or cubed tart apples, such as Granny Smith. Other fruits and vegetables that pair well with Swiss cheese fondue include cherry tomatoes, red bell peppers, carrots, mini peppers, zucchini, onions, and pickles. Steamed broccoli is also a tasty option, providing a similar experience to broccoli cheese soup.
Meat
If you'd like to add some protein to your fondue meal, consider serving it with meat. Bacon is an unexpected but delicious pairing. Just be sure to bake it first so it's nice and crisp and won't break off into the pot. You can also offer meat alongside the traditional bread option for a heartier meal.
Potatoes
Potatoes are another versatile option that can be served in multiple ways. Try roasted baby potatoes, oven-roasted potatoes, roasted fingerling potatoes, or even potato chips for a crunchy contrast to the creamy fondue.
Other Carbohydrates
In addition to bread, there are other carbohydrate options that can be served with Swiss cheese fondue. Croutons, breadsticks, and pretzels can provide a satisfying crunch.
When serving Swiss cheese fondue, don't forget the traditional fondue pot and long-stemmed forks. And, of course, a nice glass of wine to complete the meal!
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Frequently asked questions
You will need Swiss cheese, wine, garlic, nutmeg, pepper, and lemon juice. For the cheese, you can use a combination of Gruyere, Emmentaler, and Reblochon.
Swiss cheese fondue is traditionally served with chunks of bread. You can also serve it with sliced fruit (apples or pears), vegetables (cauliflower, broccoli, bell peppers), croutons, breadsticks, or pretzels.
First, rub the inside of a cheese fondue pot with garlic. Then, combine the grated cheese, wine, cornstarch, and lemon juice in the pot. Cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the cheese melts. Add the remaining ingredients and cook until creamy and smooth.
