Fontina Fondue Recipes

ITALIAN CHEESE FONDUE

Steps:

• Toss the Fontina and Gruyere cheese with the cornstarch in a medium bowl to coat. Saute the pancetta in a heavy large saucepan over medium heat until crisp and golden, about 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the pancetta to a plate. Pour off any excess oil. Pour the wine into the same saucepan and bring to a boil. Decrease the heat to medium. Whisk 1 handful of the cheese mixture into the wine until it is almost melted. Repeat with the remaining cheese mixture in about 4 more batches. Continue whisking until the cheese is completely melted and the fondue bubbles, about 1 minute. Stir in all but 2 tablespoons of the pancetta. Season the fondue with pepper, to taste.
• Transfer the cheese mixture to a fondue pot. Sprinkle with the remaining pancetta and chives. Set the pot over a candle or a canned heat burner. Serve with focaccia and vegetables.

FONDUE FOR TWO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss potatoes with oil; roast 10 to 12 minutes. Flip; push to one side and add bread cubes. Continue to roast until potatoes are golden and tender and bread is crisp, 8 to 10 minutes more.
• Reserve 1 tablespoon wine. In a small cast-iron pot, heat remaining wine with kirsch over low. Slowly add both cheeses, stirring in one direction until melted. Add nutmeg. In a small bowl, stir together lemon juice, cornstarch, and reserved wine. Slowly stir into pot; continue to cook over low heat, stirring, until mixture thickens and comes together, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a fondue pot; keep warm. Serve with fennel, apple, salami, bread cubes and sticks, and potatoes.

QUICK FONTINA CHEESE FONDUE

Steps:

• Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat until a pinch of flour sprinkled into the oil will just begin to bubble. Whisk in flour to form a thick paste the consistency of cake frosting. Continue cooking, whisking constantly, until flour has turned golden and begins to smell like toast, about 20 minutes. Whisk in wine, mustard, and cayenne.
• Mix heavy whipping cream into the flour-butter mixture; cook and stir until thickened, about 5 minutes. Add fontina cheese; stir until melted, about 1 minute. Transfer to a fondue pot.

FONTINA FONDUE

Steps:

• In a fondue pot over medium heat, heat the wine and garlic until bubbles form. Toss the cheeses lightly with the cornstarch until evenly coated. Gradually add the cheeses to the pot, a handful at a time, stirring each time until the cheeses are completely melted. Serve with bowls of the vegetables and bread sticks to dip into the sauce. Variation: Tuscan Cheese Pesto Fondue; Prepare the Tuscan Cheese Fondue as directed above, then stir in 2 to 3 tablespoons Basil Pesto or a commercial pesto just before serving.

FONDUTA (PIEDMONTESE FONDUE)

Steps:

• Pare off the rind and cut the cheese into small dice. Put into the bowl of a double boiler, cover with milk (the milk should barely cover the cheese) and leave to steep for at least 8 hours or overnight.
• In the bottom half of the double boiler, heat the water until it is hot but not boiling. Place the bowl over the water and add the egg yolks and the butter.Cook over low heat, stirring constantly but leisurely with a wooden spoon.
• The moment the cheese is smooth and creamy, pour it into deep heated plates or shallow bowls and sprinkle them with truffle and pepper. Serve with the toast points.

TRUFFLE FONDUE

Steps:

• Place the diced Fontina cheese in a large bowl and cover with milk. Let rest in the fridge for several hours. In a saucepan, place the butter, egg yolks and cheese, along with all the milk.
• Place the saucepan on top of another saucepan containing boiling water (a bain marie or double broiler) and mix energetically until the cheese begins to melt. When you have a fondue with a dense, creamy consistency, remove from the bain marie.
• Keep the fondue warm and serve with the truffle scattered on top. Enjoy with plenty of grilled bread.