Fondue Night

Chocolate Fondue

Ingredients (serves 6-8):

• 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips (or chopped chocolate)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Heat cream: In a fondue pot or saucepan, heat cream over medium-low heat until it just starts to simmer.
2. Add chocolate: Remove from heat and add chocolate chips. Let sit for 1 minute.
3. Stir: Whisk until smooth and completely melted.
4. Flavor: Stir in vanilla and salt.
5. Keep warm: Transfer to fondue pot or keep over low heat.

Dipping Items for Chocolate Fondue:

• Strawberries
• Bananas (sliced)
• Apple slices
• Pineapple chunks
• Orange segments
• Marshmallows
• Pound cake cubes
• Angel food cake cubes
• Brownies (cut into chunks)
• Pretzels
• Graham crackers
• Cookies (Oreos, vanilla wafers)
• Rice Krispie treats
• Donut holes

Cheese Fondue

Classic Swiss Cheese Fondue (serves 6-8):

• 1 clove garlic, halved
• 1½ cups dry white wine (or chicken broth)
• 8 oz Gruyère cheese, shredded
• 8 oz Swiss cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• Black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Prep pot: Rub inside of fondue pot with cut garlic clove.
2. Heat wine: Add wine to pot and heat over medium heat until simmering.
3. Toss cheese: In a bowl, toss shredded cheeses with cornstarch.
4. Add cheese: Add cheese to pot one handful at a time, stirring constantly until melted before adding more.
5. Season: Stir in lemon juice, nutmeg, and pepper.
6. Serve: Keep warm over low heat, stirring occasionally.

Dipping Items for Cheese Fondue:

• Bread cubes (French bread, sourdough)
• Soft pretzels (cut into chunks)
• Broccoli florets (lightly steamed)
• Cauliflower florets (lightly steamed)
• Cherry tomatoes
• Button mushrooms
• Bell pepper strips
• Cooked baby potatoes
• Apple slices
• Salami or summer sausage cubes
• Cooked chicken chunks

Fondue Variations

White Chocolate Fondue:

• 12 oz white chocolate chips
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• Great with fruit and cookies

Peanut Butter Chocolate Fondue:

• 10 oz chocolate chips
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• Perfect with apples, bananas, and pretzels

Caramel Fondue:

• 1 bag (14 oz) caramel candies, unwrapped
• ⅓ cup heavy cream
• Delicious with apples, pretzels, and cookies

Cheddar Beer Cheese Fondue:

• 16 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 cup beer (or chicken broth)
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• Great with pretzels and veggies

Equipment You'll Need

Essential:

• Fondue pot with heat source (or slow cooker on warm)
• Long fondue forks or skewers
• Regular forks for eating
• Small plates for each person

No Fondue Pot? Alternatives:

• Small slow cooker on warm setting
• Regular pot on stovetop (reheat as needed)
• Electric fondue pot
• Ceramic bowl over tea light candle

Fondue Party Setup

Before the Party:

1. Prep all dipping items and arrange on platters
2. Cut bread and fruit into bite-sized pieces
3. Steam vegetables if using
4. Grate cheeses fresh (don't use pre-shredded)
5. Set up fondue stations with plates and forks

During the Party:

1. Keep fondue at consistent warm temperature
2. Stir occasionally to prevent separation
3. Remind guests: use fondue fork for dipping, regular fork for eating
4. Replenish dipping items as needed

Fondue Etiquette & Tips

• Double dipping: Use fondue fork to dip, transfer to plate, eat with regular fork
• Lost food: If you lose food in the fondue, tradition says you owe a kiss or do a silly dare!
• Stirring: Stir in figure-eight pattern to keep cheese smooth
• Temperature: Keep fondue warm but not boiling
• Cheese too thick: Add a little warm wine or broth
• Chocolate too thick: Add a little warm cream
• Swirl technique: Swirl food in fondue for better coating

Three-Course Fondue Menu

Make it a full fondue experience!

1. First Course: Cheese fondue with bread and vegetables
2. Main Course: Broth or oil fondue with meats and vegetables (cook raw items)
3. Dessert: Chocolate fondue with fruit and sweets

Activity Ideas

• Have a "create your own flavor" fondue contest
• Try unusual dipping items and vote on best combinations
• Share fondue from Switzerland and its history
• Make it a progressive fondue dinner with different courses
• Create themed fondues (holiday flavors, seasonal fruits, etc.)
• Pair with Swiss or Alpine music and decorations