| The word fondue comes from the French word | | | | are talking about. Remember to use the real Gruyere |
| fondre and it means to melt or to blend. They should | | | | and Emnenthaler cheeses and not some swiss from |
| have named it after the French word for | | | | the supermarket. You'll taste the difference and so |
| outstandingly delicious but even that would be limiting. | | | | will your guests. |
| There are so many varieties and types of fondues | | | | Classic Cheese Fondue |
| out there that perhaps one word really can't describe | | | | 1/2 lb Emnenthaler Cheese (shredded) |
| it. | | | | 1/2 lb Gruyeye (shredded) |
| I'm sure you've probably heard of or even tried | | | | 1 clove Garlic |
| cheese fondue. It was popular in the 70ies. If you | | | | 2 cups Dry White Wine |
| weren't around back then, maybe you got a fondue | | | | 1 tbs Lemon Juice |
| pot as a wedding present and have been meaning to | | | | 2 tbs Flour |
| try it. Or maybe you have never tried it at all. | | | | 3 tbs Kirsch (also known as Kirschwasser - cherry |
| Whatever your background, this guide will show you | | | | brandy) |
| the basics of cheese fondue and hopefully get you | | | | 1/4 tsp White Pepper |
| excited to experiment with the many other varieties | | | | Nutmeg and/or Paprika to taste |
| such as hot oil, broth or dessert fondues. | | | | Rub the inside of the fondue pot with the garlic clove |
| Cheese fondue originated in the alps at the end of | | | | - add clove to pot or disgard it (your choice) Heat up |
| winter when food supplies were low. Farmers would | | | | the White Wine & Lemon Juice - should be hot but |
| use what they had on hand to feed their families. | | | | do not boil Reduce heat to low and slowly add |
| Cheese, bread and wine were usually all that was | | | | cheese while stirring Slowly add remainder of |
| available. So they threw the wine and cheese in a pot | | | | ingredients while stirring |
| and dipped their bread in there and waited for Spring. | | | | To Dip: |
| So why is fondue popular again? It's not because | | | | Italian Bread (or any crusty bread) cut into bite-sized |
| people are having a hard time finding food during the | | | | cubes Vegetables - Broccoli, Cauliflower, Bell Peppers, |
| winter. Supermarkets took care of that problem. No, | | | | etc. |
| fondue is popular again because it's fun and delicious. | | | | Fondue Tips & Traditions: |
| A fondue party is a great way to have a dinner | | | | * If the fondue is too hard add more wine |
| party. All the prep can be done before the guests | | | | * If the fondue is too soft add more cheese |
| arrive and the host can enjoy the meal and their | | | | * Have your guests stir in a figure eight pattern each |
| company without running back and forth from the | | | | time they dip something |
| kitchen to the dinner table. | | | | * Tradition says that if the item you're dipping comes |
| Okay, so lets get you cooking. First thing you'll need | | | | off of your fork: |
| to try fondue is a fondue pot. The electric fondue | | | | --- Men: Next round of drinks is on you |
| pots are best for a beginner. Just plug them in, set | | | | --- Women: You must kiss the man to your left |
| the temp and you're all set. There are also ceramic | | | | * Make up your own traditions. The ones above are |
| pots and metal pots that you could use but you can't | | | | outdated and sound a little chauvinistic to me. |
| cook hot oil fondue in a ceramic pot and the metal | | | | * Cold drinks are not usually served. |
| pots aren't great for cheese fondue. The electric | | | | * The traditional drink for fondue is hot tea or the |
| fondue pots are the most versatile and they are | | | | wine that you used to cook with. |
| even made dishwasher safe now. | | | | * Ignore the rules and serve Merlot. It goes great |
| Classic Cheese Fondue. is the first recipe you should | | | | with cheese fondue. |
| try. When people talk about fondue this is what they | | | | |