How to Make Fondue

Bring the family back to the dinner table with weekly or monthly Fondue Nights.

Historically, fondue is derived from the Swiss tradition of dipping crusty bread into melted cheese for a warm and practical meal. Americans have grown to embrace the tradition of fondue as an intimate or social way of dining. Learn how to make a traditional cheese fondue for a fun family dinner that kids are sure to love. Or, prepare a simple chocolate fondue for a romantic dessert for two.

Things You'll Need

• Fondue crock or saucepan
• Mixing spoon
• Fondue skewers or forks
• Small bowl
• 1 crushed clove of garlic
• 3/4 cup white wine
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 8 oz. Gruyere cheese, cubed
• 2 tsp. corn starch
• 12 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• ½ cup heavy cream
• Vegetables, fruit and other snacks for dipping

Instructions

Cheese Fondue

1. Add wine, lemon juice and garlic to the crock or a saucepan over medium-low heat.

2. Cook for 1 minute.

3. Add cheese cubes and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until melted.

4. Whisk corn starch into the fondue to help thicken it, and cook for 1 or 2 more minutes.

5. Transfer the crock to the table, or place it in a heatproof bowl underneath a candle to keep the fondue warm.

6. Serve the fondue with a platter of cut-up foods for dipping.

Chocolate Fondue

1. Add chocolate and heavy cream to a fondue crock or saucepan.

2. Cook on low heat for 3 to 5 minutes, or until melted.

3. Transfer the crock to the table, or place it in a heatproof bowl underneath a candle to keep the fondue warm.

4. Serve with a platter of cut-up foods for dipping.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep fondue warm over low heat to keep the dip from solidifying.

• Cut up green apple slices, sourdough bread, carrots, celery, broccoli, grapes and garlic toast for dipping in cheese fondue.

• Cut up strawberries, bananas and pound cake for chocolate fondue. Pretzel rods, marshmallows and graham crackers are also tasty chocolate fondue dippers.

• For a quick chocolate fondue, melt chocolate and heavy cream in a microwave-proof bowl in the microwave at 50 to 75 percent power, until melted. Stir every 1 to 2 minutes during heating.

• Never leave a hot fondue crock or stove unattended.

• Cut items for dipping into bite-sized pieces to reduce the risk of choking, especially for young children.

• Do not cook over high heat, as fondue can burn when boiled.

References

• Fondue Fusion: Fondue History
• Food Network: Cheese Fondue; Emeril Lagasse
• Food Network: Chocolate Fondue