Bushra Griffith
Cheddar cheese fondue is typically made with beer and is a great choice for a fondue night. 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 a touch of herbs and spices. The best foods to serve with cheddar cheese fondue include cubed French bread, meat, potatoes, sliced fruit (such as apples or pears), vegetables (such as broccoli, cauliflower, and bell peppers), croutons, breadsticks, or pretzels. For a vegetarian option, steamed broccoli is an excellent choice, adding a bit of freshness and nutrition to the meal. If you're looking for something more indulgent, meatballs or grilled shrimp are great choices to dip into the fondue.
What to serve with cheddar cheese fondue
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bread | Crusty bread, cubed French bread, grilled or toasted Tuscan bread cubes, baguette, sourdough loaf, peasant bread, gluten-free bread, pretzels, croutons |
| Fruit | Apples, pears, steamed red-skinned potatoes, baby potatoes, fingerling potatoes, gherkins |
| Vegetables | Broccoli, bell peppers, mini peppers, zucchini, carrots, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, pickles, radishes, fennel |
| Meat | Meatballs, Italian sausage, prosciutto, salami, soppressata, chorizo, poached chicken, filet mignon, Lil Smokies |
| Other | Croutons |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Bread
- French bread
- Baguettes
- Sourdough
- Multigrain bread
- Rye
- Pumpernickel
- Breadsticks
- Bagels
- Croutons
- Pretzels
- Gluten-free bread
No matter which type of bread you choose, make sure to lightly toast it, especially bread that may fall apart in the cheese, and then cut it into large cubes. You can also grill the bread. To do this, slice the bread into 1/2-inch slices. Spray both sides of the bread with olive oil spray or butter spray and sprinkle with garlic salt to taste. Place the bread on a grill pan and watch it closely. When the first side toasts (about 2 minutes), flip and toast the other side.
Monterey Jack vs Cheddar: A Cheesy Comparison
You may want to see also
Meat
When it comes to serving meat with a cheddar cheese fondue, there are several options to choose from. Meatballs, for instance, are a surprisingly versatile side dish that pairs well with cheese fondue. You can either skewer them and dip them in the fondue or pour the cheese over them to create a delicious, cheesy meatball dish.
Strips of juicy, perfectly cooked filet mignon can also be enhanced by adding some cheese fondue. Skewer a piece of bread and filet mignon, then dip it into the fondue for a bite-sized, fancy burger. Salty and sometimes spicy, cured meats like prosciutto, salami, soppressata, and chorizo are also excellent choices to dip into a cheddar cheese fondue. Their flavours complement the cheese well, and they are the perfect size for fondue skewers.
Chicken, whether poached or grilled, is another great option to serve with cheddar cheese fondue. It serves as a blank canvas, allowing you to dress it up with the cheese and spices of your choice. You can also opt for Lil Smokies, which should be heated in the microwave before serving, to add a savoury element to the fondue experience.
Cheddar Cheese: Processed Food or Not?
You may want to see also
Vegetables
When it comes to vegetables to serve with cheddar cheese fondue, there are plenty of options to choose from. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Broccoli is an excellent choice, offering a bit of freshness and nutrition to balance out the indulgent cheese. You can serve it raw or steam it first for a smoother taste. Peppers are also a great option, adding colour and flavour to your fondue spread. Slice them into thin, long slices to make them easier to dip. Mini peppers or bell peppers are a great choice.
Roasted Brussels sprouts are a surprisingly perfect match for mild, nutty cheeses like cheddar. They provide a healthy and tasty contrast to the rich fondue. Cauliflower florets are another good option to consider, providing a neutral base to showcase the flavour of the cheese. Zucchini slices can also be a nice addition, offering a fresh and lightly savoury element to the meal.
Other vegetable options to consider include baby potatoes, steamed red-skinned potato chunks, or fingerling potatoes. You could also try something different like pickles, from tiny cornichons to sliced dill pickles, which offer a tangy contrast to the creamy fondue. For something more adventurous, try grilled or sautéed shrimp with a bold cheddar cheese fondue.
Cheese Nutrition: Sharp Cheddar's Surprising Health Benefits
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Fruits
Fresh fruit is a great option to serve with cheddar cheese fondue. Fruits provide a refreshing contrast to the rich and creamy cheese, and they also add a touch of sweetness to the savoury dish.
When it comes to choosing fruits, there are several options that pair well with cheddar cheese fondue. Apples are a popular choice, especially tart varieties like Granny Smith. Sliced into cubes or thin wedges, apples offer a crisp and crunchy texture that goes well with the creamy cheese. Pears are another excellent option, with Bosc pears being a standout choice due to their nutmeg and cinnamon undertones that beautifully enhance the spices often found in fondues.
Other fruits that can be considered include pineapple, which brings a tropical twist to the dish, and grapes, which add a burst of sweetness. Dried fruits such as apricots and figs can also be offered, providing a chewy texture and concentrated flavour.
To enhance the overall presentation and make it easier for guests to enjoy the fruits with the fondue, consider cutting the fruits into bite-sized pieces or wedges that can be easily skewered. This ensures a pleasant dining experience and encourages guests to indulge in the delicious combination of fruits and cheddar cheese fondue.
The Ancient Origins of Cheddar Cheese
You may want to see also
Salty and spicy cured meats
Prosciutto, salami, soppressata, and chorizo are all excellent choices for cured meats to serve with fondue. These meats can be scrunched up on a fondue skewer and dipped into the warm, melted cheese. The saltiness of the prosciutto and the spice of the chorizo, for example, will create an explosion of flavour when combined with the cheddar.
Fondue is a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer, main course, or even dessert. It is a perfect dish for entertaining guests, as it is interactive and encourages conversation. The social aspect of fondue, with guests gathering around a pot of melted cheese, is part of its appeal.
Meats are a popular choice to serve with fondue, as they provide a hearty and satisfying contrast to the creamy cheese. In addition to cured meats, other meat options to serve with cheddar fondue include meatballs, filet mignon, and poached chicken. These meats can be skewered and dipped into the fondue, creating a delicious combination of flavours and textures.
When serving cured meats with cheddar fondue, consider the balance of flavours and textures. The saltiness and spice of the cured meats will be enhanced when paired with the creamy, tangy cheddar fondue. The warmth of the fondue will also help to soften the meats, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Cheddar Cheese: Natural or Processed?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Good dippers for cheddar cheese fondue include meatballs, roasted Brussels sprouts, broccoli, bell peppers, and crusty bread.
Cheddar cheese fondue is typically made with beer. Wine is also a good option, as it is traditionally consumed with cheese fondue in Switzerland.
There are several party games associated with eating fondue. For example, if someone's bread falls apart in the pot, they have to take a shot or buy everyone a round of drinks. If a woman's food falls in the pot, she has to kiss everyone at the table or just the person to her left.
