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