Frederic Melton
Cheese fondue is a fun and indulgent dish that is perfect for a get-together with friends or a special occasion. The key to a great fondue is the cheese—the best options are those that melt smoothly, such as fontina, Gruyère, gouda, and Swiss cheese. To make the fondue, the cheeses are grated and combined with cornstarch, wine, garlic, lemon juice, and seasonings like nutmeg and mustard. For dipping, you can offer crusty bread, vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, and cauliflower, and fruits such as apples and pears. Meat options include cured meats, grilled shrimp, and chicken. So get your fondue pot ready and impress your guests with this simple yet delicious treat!
Cheese Fondue Ingredients and Characteristics
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese | Fontina, Gruyère, Gouda, Swiss, Emmentaler, Provolone, Monterey Jack, Mozzarella, Cheddar |
| Spices | Nutmeg, Mustard, Black Pepper |
| Alcohol | Dry white wine, Beer, Crisp Sherry, Brandy |
| Dippers | Crusty Bread, Baguettes, Sourdough, Baby Potatoes, Bell Peppers, Apples, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Asparagus, Carrots, Tomatoes, Mushrooms, Meat, Salami, Sausages, Shrimp, Chicken |
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What You'll Learn
The best cheeses for fondue
Fontina is a particularly good melting cheese, and its mild, nutty flavour combines well with stronger cheeses like Gruyère. Gruyère, a traditional Swiss cheese, is a popular choice for fondue as it has a strong, slightly sweet flavour and melts well. Gouda is another good melting cheese with a mild, buttery taste. Swiss cheese, or Emmental, is also used in traditional Swiss fondue recipes, and has a slightly nutty flavour.
For a classic Swiss fondue, a mix of traditional, firm mountain-style cheeses is best. As well as Gruyère and Emmental, other Swiss cheeses like Vacherin Fribourgeois, Appenzeller, and Raclette can be used. For a less traditional but still tasty fondue, cheddar can be used, combined with a more classic cheese like Gruyère.
Monterey jack is a good choice for a Mexican-inspired fondue, while mozzarella can be used in a pinch, though it does not have a strong flavour. Provolone and Swiss Gruyère are also good substitutes for fontina.
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Dipping foods
When it comes to dipping foods for cheese fondue, the possibilities are endless. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Breads and Crackers
A classic choice for cheese fondue is bread. Crusty, grilled, or toasted bread cubes are perfect for soaking up all that cheesy goodness. Go for a French baguette, sourdough, Tuscan bread, or a simple peasant bread. If you want to get creative, try pretzel bread, rye bread, or breadsticks.
Fruits and Vegetables
For a refreshing contrast to the richness of the fondue, try dipping fruits and vegetables. Crisp, tart Granny Smith apples and Bosc pears are excellent choices, as their flavours complement the creaminess of the cheese. Steamed or blanched broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, and baby carrots add a healthy crunch. Bright bell peppers also make a colourful and surprisingly tasty addition. If you're feeling adventurous, try dipping steamed baby potatoes or roasted potato chunks.
Meats
Cured meats like prosciutto, salami, soppressata, and chorizo are perfect for wrapping around your fondue-covered bread cubes. Poached chicken is another option, providing a blank canvas for the cheeses and spices to shine. For a heartier option, try grilled or sautéed shrimp, especially if you're using a bold fondue made with brandy or white wine.
Pasta
Think of this as a deconstructed macaroni and cheese. Choose a large pasta shape with nooks and crannies, like shells, fusilli, or rigatoni, to soak up all that cheesy goodness.
Remember, the key to a successful cheese fondue is to use your imagination and get creative! Choose dipping foods that you and your guests will love, and don't be afraid to experiment with different flavours and textures.
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Drinks to pair with fondue
When it comes to drinks to pair with fondue, wine is a classic choice. A dry white wine will complement the cheese fondue nicely, and you can also use it as an ingredient in the fondue itself. A crisp beer is another good option for a drink that will go well with the fondue's flavours.
If you're looking for something a little stronger, a velvety-sweet sherry will pair well with the cheese. You could also try a brandy, which is another classic choice to pair with cheese fondue. If you're making a Swiss cheese fondue, a shot of Kirsch on the side is a traditional choice.
For non-alcoholic options, a refreshing soda or sparkling water with a twist of citrus will help to cut through the richness of the fondue. Alternatively, a crisp apple juice or cider would also work well, especially if you are serving sweeter dipping options like apples or pears.
Remember, the drink you choose should complement the flavours of the fondue and any dips you plan to serve.
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Fondue equipment
To make cheese fondue, you will need a stove and a pot. If you want to make the experience more authentic, you can use a fondue pot, which is a medium enameled cast-iron casserole. You can get a fondue pot on Amazon for around $70. These pots are great at keeping the cheese at the perfect temperature and can easily feed a crowd.
You will also need long-stemmed forks or skewers for dipping. If you want to avoid double-dipping, you can use wooden skewers or fondue forks for each guest.
If you want to avoid buying a fondue pot, you can use a stove-safe medium saucepan.
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Fondue recipes
Classic Swiss Cheese Fondue
This recipe is for a fondue made with Swiss cheese, Gruyère, and white wine. It is delicious served with cubes of bread, baby potatoes, or veggies for dipping.
To make this recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- Swiss cheese
- Gruyère cheese
- White wine
- Cornstarch
- Lemon juice
- Kirsch
- Pepper
- Nutmeg
First, grate the cheeses and toss them with the cornstarch. Rub a garlic clove on the inside of your fondue pot, then add the wine and lemon juice and bring to a simmer. Add the cheese mixture a little at a time, stirring until melted. Finally, add the kirsch, pepper, and nutmeg, and cook until smooth.
Fontina, Gruyère, and Smoked Gouda Fondue
This recipe is for a fondue made with fontina, Gruyère, and smoked gouda cheeses. It can be served with bread, meat, potatoes, sliced fruit, or vegetables for dipping.
To make this recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 cups fontina cheese
- 2 cups Gruyère cheese
- 2 cups smoked gouda cheese
- 1/4 cup EZ Gel
- Garlic clove
- Broth
- Vinegar
First, grate the cheeses and toss them with the EZ Gel. Rub a garlic clove on the inside of your fondue pot, then add the broth and vinegar and bring to a simmer. Add the cheese mixture a handful at a time, stirring until melted. Finally, add the mustard and nutmeg, and stir until smooth.
Cheese Fondue with White Wine
This recipe is for a fondue made with Gruyère and Swiss cheeses, white wine, and flour. It can be served with cubed French bread, meat, potatoes, sliced fruit, or vegetables for dipping.
To make this recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- Gruyère cheese
- Swiss cheese
- White wine
- Flour
- Nutmeg
- Salt
First, bring the wine to a simmer in a fondue pot. Add the flour and mix, then add the cheeses and mix until melted. Finally, season with nutmeg and salt to taste.
Variations and Dipping Ideas
When making cheese fondue, you can experiment with different types of cheese, alcohol, and spices. Some popular variations include using fontina, Gouda, Emmentaler, or cheddar cheese, or adding brandy, beer, or vinegar.
For dipping, popular options include crusty bread, baguettes, sourdough, or pretzel bread, as well as vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, baby carrots, or asparagus. Sliced apples, pears, and other fruits are also a good choice, as are meats such as cured meats, poached chicken, or shrimp.
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Frequently asked questions
The best cheeses for fondue are those that are creamy and buttery and melt smoothly. The best options are fontina, Gruyère, gouda, Swiss cheese, and Emmental. For a classic Swiss fondue, a mix of traditional, firm mountain-style cheeses is best.
Crusty bread is usually the top choice for cheese fondue because it soaks up the cheese well. Other options include baby potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, sliced apples, cured meats, shrimp, and more.
In addition to cheese, fondue recipes typically call for cornstarch, wine, garlic, lemon juice, and spices such as nutmeg and pepper.
