Fondue Recipes

CHEESE FONDUE

Steps:

• Rub inside of a 4-quart heavy pot with cut sides of garlic, then discard garlic. Add wine to pot and bring just to a simmer over moderate heat.
• Stir together cornstarch and kirsch (if using; otherwise, use water or wine) in a cup.
• Gradually add cheese to pot and cook, stirring constantly in a zigzag pattern (not a circular motion) to prevent cheese from balling up, until cheese is just melted and creamy (do not let boil). Stir cornstarch mixture again and stir into fondue. Bring fondue to a simmer and cook, stirring, until thickened, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer to fondue pot set over a flame.
• What to dip:
• •Cubes of French bread
• •Cubes of apple and pear
• •Roasted potatoes
• •Julienned raw red bell pepper
• •Blanched broccoli florets
• What to drink:
• •Dry white wine such as dry Riesling or Sancerre
• •German lager or Saison-style ale
• •Farmhouse cider
• •Fino Sherry

CLASSIC CHEESE FONDUE

Steps:

• Rub cut side of garlic on inside of large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed saucepan, preferably cast iron, rubbing the bottom and halfway up the sides. Add wine and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, toss cheeses with cornstarch. Add a handful at a time to simmering wine, stirring until first handful melts before adding next. Reduce heat to medium and stir constantly until cheese is completely melted. Add kirsch, if using, and heat until bubbling, about 1 to 2 minutes. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg, if desired. Serve with crusty bread and other accompaniments. (See variations below)

CHEESE FONDUE

Steps:

• Simmer wine in fondue pot. Add Swiss cheese, Gruyere cheese, 1/4 pound at a time. Stir after each addition of cheese until melted. Stir in flour. When all the cheese has melted, stir in salt and nutmeg. Serve with cut-up French bread.

MEAT FONDUE

Steps:

• Prepare your sauces (see below) in advance, and put in little bowls around the fondue burner, along with the meat, bread and salad. Season the meat.
• When your guests are ready to eat, fill your fondue pan half-full of vegetable oil and heat on the hob until it's hot, but not smoking. You're aiming for around 190C, but if you haven't got a thermometer, throw in a cube of bread - when it takes about 30 secs to brown, it's ready.
• Put the fondue burner on the table carefully so that it's stable, then, following the manufacturer's instructions, light the flame and put the pan on top.
• Give each guest a fondue fork for dunking the meat in the hot oil. It should take 25-30 secs for rare, 30-35 secs for medium and 45-60 secs for well done. When the meat is cooked, dip it into the sauces, and pile it onto the bread. If you have some raw king prawns to cook in the fondue, they work really well too. CORRECTION NOTICEPlease be informed that in the July issue of BBC Good Food Magazine, it incorrectly stated that the temperature of the oil in this recipe should be 375C, the correct temperature of the oil should be 375 Fahrenheit or 190C. SaucesHorseradish sauceMix 1 tbsp grated horseradish with 3 tbsp sour cream, juice 1 lemon and a pinch each of salt, pepper and cayenne pepper. Chill until serving. Chilli vinegarMix 3 tbsp white wine vinegar with 2 tsp sugar, 1 garlic clove, grated, and 1 medium red chilli, finely chopped. Set aside until needed. Salsa verdePut handful each parsley, basil, mint, coriander and tarragon in a blender with 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp red wine vinegar, 2 tbsp olive oil, 4 anchovies and 1 garlic clove, grated. Whizz together. AïoliMix 3 tbsp mayo with juice 1 lemon, 1 tsp Dijon mustard and 1 garlic clove, grated. Chill until needed.

CHEESE FONDUE

Steps:

• In resealable plastic food-storage bag, place cheeses and flour. Shake until cheese is coated with flour.
• Rub garlic on bottom and side of fondue pot, heavy saucepan or skillet; discard garlic. Add wine. Heat over simmer setting on fondue pot or over low heat just until bubbles rise to surface (do not boil). Stir in lemon juice.
• Gradually add cheese mixture, about 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly with wire whisk over low heat, until melted. Stir in kirsch.
• Keep warm over simmer setting. If prepared in saucepan or skillet, pour into a fondue pot or heatproof serving bowl and keep warm over low heat. Fondue must be served over heat to maintain its smooth, creamy texture.
• Spear bread and fruit with fondue forks; dip and swirl in fondue with stirring motion. If fondue becomes too thick, stir in 1/4 to 1/2 cup heated wine.