The Basics of Fondue - Cooking Tips

The Right Fondue Pot

A ceramic pot is used when preparing cheese and chocolate (dessert) fondues that do not require high heat. Ceramic Fondue Pot Metal Fondue Pot A metal pot is used for fondues that require high heat when cooking, specifically meat and seafood. These pots are also suitable for meat and cheese fondues as long as the heat source is regulated at a lower temperature. An enamel cast iron pot is used for any type of fondue. Many different heating elements are available, including candles, gel fuel, liquid fuel, and electric.

Utensils: Each guest will need: A long fondue fork (skewer) that is typically provided when you purchase a fondue pot. These forks are color coded to help identify which fork is yours. A plate for the cooked foods and (if appropriate) a plate for uncooked foods. A regular dinner fork for eating cooked food. The fondue fork is for cooking food, not eating. The fork can become dangerously hot. Using the fondue fork for eating also promotes the spread of germs. Napkins. *When serving meat and/or seafood dishes, provide appropriate dipping sauce. Cheese Fondue: Before adding the cooked cheese fondue to the pot, rub a clove of garlic inside of the pot for added flavor. Prepare and heat the fondue on the stove first, and then transfer to the fondue pot. Finely shredded cheese melts easily. Allow the cheese to melt slowly. Alcohol, such as wine, champagne, or beer added to cheese fondue enhances flavor and prevents curdling. If the fondue starts to separate or curdle, beat in some freshly squeezed lemon juice. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon until the mixture becomes smooth. To adjust the thickness, add wine or apple cider rather than water. Always stir cheese fondue in a figure-eight motion to encourage the blending of ingredients. The crust left at the bottom of the pot when making cheese fondue is considered a delicacy and is called “la croute” or la religuese”. Scrape it off and serve it to your guests. Fondue Bourguignon: Cooking Meat and Raw Vegetable’s in Oil (high heat fondue) This includes beef, pork, poultry, game, seafood, and raw vegetables. Prepare Raw Meat: remove fat, cut into bite size cubes, and marinate (optional) Prepare Seafood: wash and cut into bite size pieces. Shrimp must be deveined and cut into bite size pieces. If seafood is jumbo sized, it is best to slice in half so seafood is not too dense to cook thoroughly. Prepare Vegetables: Trim, wash, and cut into bite size pieces. If serving a dense vegetable (i.e. potatoes), it is best to cook them until they are crisp tender before dipping in fondue. Squeeze lemon juice over prepared vegetables to prevent browning. Arrange each raw meat and vegetable type on separate platters to prevent cross contamination. Store in the refrigerator until you are ready to begin. Dry the meat and vegetables thoroughly on a paper towel before cooking in hot fondue to prevent dangerous spatters. Choose your favorite oil, i.e.: peanut, vegetable, canola, olive, etc. If you choose to cook in broth, it is best to keep with the type of meat you are serving, for example beef with beef broth. Cooking with wine or champagne is also an option. This works well when serving seafood. To begin: pre-heat oil, broth, or wine to 375º F (just below boiling), on the stove, in the fondue pot. Do not transfer hot simmering oil from a separate pan into a fondue pot, it is too dangerous. To prevent the oil from spattering and/or bubbling over, do not fill pot more than 1/3 full. If you do not have a thermometer available, test the temperature by placing a small cube of bread into the oil. The fondue is ready if the bread cube turns golden brown within 30 seconds. Transfer the pot to it’s holder on the table and turn on burner. If available, follow the direction provided for your specific fondue pot. Never leave pot unattended and closely supervise children. Do Not use water if a fire erupts, this will spread the fire. Instead, cover the fire with the pot lid to remove oxygen.

Cooking times vary greatly, it is dependent on how hot your fondue is, what the fondue consists of, and how the meat or vegetable was prepared. If available, follow recipe directions.

Chocolate and Dessert Fondue

Choose chocolate that has a cocoa solid content above 50%; the best quality makes the best fondue. White chocolate tends to harden if overheated. Stir constantly, heat slowly, mix with cream that has been warmed to prevent hardening and to create a creamy texture. Adding a favorite liqueur will add to the texture and flavor. Ideally, all chocolate and dessert fondues should be melted on the top of a double boiler, never over direct heat, before being placed into the fondue pot for serving. A small amount of heat is required to keep dessert fondue warm in the fondue pot, it is best to use a candle.

What to Dip

• When preparing food for dipping, keep all foods bite sized in cubes, slices, or wedges.
• Use day old bread for fondue as fresh bread tends to crumble easily. The same holds true for fresh cake.
• Chill fruits before dipping, it will help the fondue to stick.
• Meat and seafood must be precooked if dipping in fondue that is not hot enough to cook safely (i.e. cheese fondue).
• Precook vegetables if dipping in a cheese fondue.

Cheese Fondue: Cooked chicken, cooked ham, cooked pork sausage, cooked seafood, apples, hard-crusty breads, French bread, rye bread, Italian bread, pears, cauliflower, broccoli, potato wedges, vegetables, and pickles.

Chocolate, Dessert, and Fruit Purée Fondue: Firm fruits, strawberries, sliced bananas, fresh pineapple, mango, kiwi, hard apples, grapes, cherries, figs, peaches, dried fruits, ladyfingers, angle food cake, pound cake, cheesecake, vanilla cookies, marshmallows, chocolate cake (fruit fondue), miniature lemon muffins, and miniature blueberry muffins.

Oil Based Fondue: Beef, pork, poultry, game, seafood, onions, cauliflower, broccoli, baby carrots, small sections of corn on the cob, radishes, zucchini, celery, turnips, potatoes, squash, pea pods, and mushrooms.

Broth, Bouillabaisse, Wine, and Champagne Fondue: Beef, pork, poultry, game, seafood, onions, cauliflower, broccoli, baby carrots, small sections of corn on the cob, radishes, zucchini, celery, turnips, potatoes, squash, pea pods, and mushrooms.

Tomato Based Fondue: French bread, Italian bread, crust focaccia, corn muffins, cooked ham, salami, pepperoni, baby artichoke hearts, bell peppers, raw zucchini, and cubed hard cheeses.

Black Bean Based Fondue: Tortilla chips, bell pepper, chunks of Monterey Jack and/or Jalapeño cheese, and baby corn.

Vegetable Based Fondue: Cauliflower, bell pepper, asparagus spears, artichoke hearts, hard-crusty breads, potatoes, mushrooms, cubed squash, eggplant, cubed hard cheese, baby corn, snow peas, and cooked shellfish.

Tips

Always cook the fondue on the stove, heating to required temperature and then transfer to the fondue pot. A fondue pot will keep your creation at a constant temperature but is not able to cook the fondue.

Use a trivet to protect your table from a hot fondue pot.

Stay away from water when preparing fondue, use flavorful liquids such as wine and broth. Dry wines work best.

More then 4 people at one fondue pot is awkward and should be avoided. If entertaining more than a total of 4 people, invest in more fondue pots.

Do not serve more than one course as a fondue.

To avoid spattering of oil and broth, keep food dry and keep the amount of food in the fondue pot to a minimum.

Squeeze lemon juice over prepared vegetables to prevent browning.

When determining how much food to buy, a general estimate is a total of ½ pound per person. This is taking into consideration that you are serving only 1 fondue dish and are also providing other entrées.

If you want to double a cheese fondue recipe, increase the liquid by only 1½ rather than doubling. If you double the liquid the fondue will become soupy.

Never leave pot unattended. It is best to entertain with fondue when children are not attending. If children are attending, they must be closely supervised.

Do Not use water if a fire erupts, this will spread the fire. Instead, cover the fire with the lid to remove oxygen.

The fondue fork is for cooking food, not eating. The fork can become dangerously hot. Using the fondue fork for eating also promotes the spread of germs.