Patrick Oconnell
Cheddar cheese fondue is a fun and delicious dish to serve at a party or family gathering. While the traditional Swiss cheese fondue uses a mix of Gruyere, Swiss, and Gouda, Cheddar fondue is a tasty alternative. To make it even more indulgent, you can swap the wine for beer. But what should you dip in this cheesy delight? The options are endless, but some popular choices include bread, potatoes, apples, broccoli, meatballs, and even pickles! For a more well-rounded meal, add some protein like grilled steak, chicken, or cooked ham. If you're looking for a healthier option, lightly steamed or raw vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, and carrots are a great way to get your daily dose of veggies. So, go ahead, grab your fondue pot and get dipping!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat | Beef, chicken, veal, meatballs, filet mignon, beef jerky, kielbasa, pepperoni, salami, sausage, ham |
| Seafood | Shrimp, crab, lobster |
| Vegetables | Broccoli, bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, carrots, zucchini, asparagus, green beans, pearl onions, radishes, potatoes, artichoke hearts, mushrooms, celery, fennel spears, cherry tomatoes |
| Fruit | Apples, pears, pineapple, grapes, apricots, figs |
| Bread | French bread, breadsticks, croutons, multigrain bread, rye, sourdough, pumpernickel, bagels, cranberry walnut loaf |
| Other | Pickles, cornichons, tortilla chips, crackers, pretzels |
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What You'll Learn
Bread
To make the fondue, grate all of the cheeses and toss them with cornstarch. Then, rub a garlic clove on the inside of your fondue pot or saucepan. Add some liquid—wine, chicken or vegetable stock, or beer—and bring it to a simmer. Finally, add the grated cheese mixture a little at a time, stirring well until it is melted and smooth.
If you are serving the fondue as an appetizer or main course, you can add some protein to the platter to make it a more satisfying meal. Offer grilled steak, poached chicken, or cooked ham, which will all taste even better with melted cheese. If you want to add some spice, cured meats like beef jerky, kielbasa, pepperoni, salami, and sausage are fun and flavorful options.
No matter what type of bread or cheese you choose, dipping bread into a pot of melted cheese is a fun and delicious experience that is sure to impress your guests!
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Meat
Sliced grilled steak is a tasty option to dip into the warm, gooey cheese. The steak should be cooked to your desired level of doneness before serving with the fondue.
Cured meats, such as prosciutto, salami, soppressata, chorizo, beef jerky, pepperoni, or kielbasa, add a salty and spicy kick to the cheese fondue. These meats can be scrunched up on a fondue skewer and dipped.
Sausage is another excellent choice for meat to dip into a cheddar cheese fondue. Authentic sweet Italian sausage pairs amazingly well with the savoury cheese. Chorizo or hot and spicy chicken sausage are also great options to add a kick of flavour. The sausage can be cut into smaller pieces to make it easier to dip.
Chicken, whether poached or grilled, is a versatile option for fondue as it can be a blank canvas to be dressed up in the cheese and spices.
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Fruit
If you're looking for something a little different, dried apricots or dried figs can add an interesting texture to the fondue experience. For a simpler option, go for some green or red grapes, or try something more unusual like cherry tomatoes.
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Vegetables
Asparagus, broccoli, bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, carrots, and zucchini are all tasty options if roasted first. You can also steam some green beans, pearl onions, and radishes, or a variety of baby potatoes like Yukon Gold, fingerling, red, or purple. Sauteed artichoke hearts, as well as almost any mushroom (crimini, shiitake, oyster, or sliced portobellos) are also delicious additions to the tray of fondue dippers. And if you need something quick that can be served raw, try celery, fennel spears, carrots, and cherry tomatoes.
If you're looking for something more substantial, consider roasted potatoes. If you like cheese fries, you'll love dipping crispy-on-the-outside, soft-and-tender-on-the-inside roasted potatoes into a mini vat of bubbling cheese.
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Seafood
Shrimp
Shrimp is a popular choice for fondue. You can use cooked, peeled, and deveined shrimp, which can be quickly thawed in water if frozen. Before dipping, you can grill, roast, or sauté the shrimp to enhance its flavour.
Scallops
Scallops are another delicious option for fondue. They have a mild flavour and a tender texture, making them perfect for dipping in cheddar cheese fondue.
Lobster
Lobster is a luxurious option for fondue. You can fry or boil the lobster before dipping it in the fondue. Lobster meat has a sweet and delicate flavour that pairs well with the sharpness of cheddar cheese.
Crab
Crab meat is also a tasty choice for fondue. You can use cooked crab meat or cook it yourself. The sweet and briny flavour of crab pairs well with the creaminess of the fondue.
Fish
Firm fish, such as salmon or halibut, can also be used as dippers for your fondue. You can cut the fish into bite-sized pieces and cook it to your desired doneness before dipping it in the cheddar cheese fondue.
Tips for the Perfect Fondue
To ensure your fondue is smooth and flavourful, grate the cheese yourself instead of using pre-shredded cheese. Additionally, add the cheese to the pot a little at a time, stirring well between each addition. You can also substitute wine with beer or chicken/vegetable stock for a unique flavour.
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Frequently asked questions
Bread is the most popular dipper for cheese fondue. You can use French bread, breadsticks, croutons, or even bagels. Other options include broccoli, bell peppers, apples, potatoes, and meatballs.
Some unique dippers include asparagus, Brussels sprouts, zucchini, and pickles. You can also try something sweet like sliced pears, pineapple, or dried apricots and figs.
Yes, any type of bread will work for dipping. Just make sure to lightly toast it first, especially if the bread is soft and may fall apart in the cheese. Then cut it into large cubes.
Yes, there are plenty of vegetarian options for cheddar cheese fondue. In addition to the vegetables mentioned above, you can also dip mushrooms, carrots, cherry tomatoes, and baby potatoes.
Yes, you can substitute the wine with 8 ounces of your favorite beer or unsalted chicken/vegetable stock. You can also add a splash of brandy for extra flavor.
