What Is Fondue?
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What is fondue and why should you try it out? Well, with more time spent indoors, it's the perfect time to expand your culinary repertoire and try new methods of cooking. Don't worry though, fondue is a fairly straightforward way to gather guests and explore a fun way to experience food. This guide will give you insight into hosting a delightful fondue party.
What Is Fondue?
Types of Fondue Pots
Fondue Pot Materials
Fondue Pot Sizes
How to Use a Fondue Pot
What Is Fondue?
What is fondue? Simply put – it is a meal typically made from melted cheese. The cheese melts in a pot placed over a small flame in the middle of a table so guests can easily access it. Long forks are used dip to small pieces of food into the cheese for eating. The word fondue comes from the French verb "fondre" which means "to melt." This method of cooking originated in Switzerland as a way to use stale bread and hard cheese during the winter months when produce was not easily accessible. It is now considered their national dish, though other countries have introduced fondue variations containing either chocolate or oil for cooking.
Types of Fondue Pots
Although it is the most well-known type of fondue, cheese is not your only option. Chocolate and oil fondues allow you use your fondue set for starters, mains, or even dessert.
Cheese: If you are a turophile, then you will want to consider purchasing a cheese fondue set. They come in an array of materials and sizes, and work well with gruyère cheese, raclette, and even swiss cheese fondue. Ideal foods to dip in cheese fondue are bread, pretzels, raw vegetables, roasted potatoes, and various cooked meats.
Chocolate:Chocolate fondue, also know as "fondue au chocolat," is fantastic for serving dessert. You can use sweet treats such as fresh or dried fruit, pastries, marshmallows, and even cubes of cake to smother in the melted chocolate. Truth be told, you are only limited to whatever you are able to keep on your fork, so your choices are almost endless.
Meat: Oil fondue, or "fondue bourguignonne," is slightly different to cheese or chocolate fondues as it requires the use of hot oil to cook cut pieces of fondue meat. Use a meat fondue set with sausage, hot dogs, beef cubes, pork, or chicken. More often than not, it is a good idea to accompany your meat fondue with a range of dipping sauces to add variation to the flavors. Note though that you should use these fondue sets with caution due to the hot oil.
Multifunctional:If you are serious about fondue and frequently entertain, you may want to consider a multifunctional fondue set. Rather than being limited to one type of fondue, a multifunctional set can be used to make cheese, chocolate, or oil fondue, allowing you a broader choice of meals compared to a set limited to only one or two types of fondue.
Fondue sets are traditionally made from ceramic, however there are many new types of materials, which offer different properties that are more suited to certain types of fondues than others. To find out more about the fondue pots, read our guide: The Best Fondue Pots for Entertaining.
Ceramic: Ceramic fondue sets are the most common and traditional types available. This is due to the fact that ceramic is a natural and non-stick material – features that are especially helpful when it comes to keeping to fondue contents at the right consistency, prevent it from sticking, and easier cleaning.
Stainless Steel: If you are looking for a fondue pot that heats up quickly, stainless steel is a great option. This conductive metal will allow your fondue ingredients to reach their perfect temperature in no time. As an added bonus, most stainless steel fondue pots are dishwasher safe, helping you cut down on the cleanup process.
Cast Iron:Cast iron is an extremely durable material that handles high heat well. For this reason, fondue pots made of cast iron are ideal for meat fondues as they will easily withstand the heat of the oil without tarnishing or deteriorating quickly.
Aluminum:Whether you plan to serve fondues away from home or are looking for a fondue set that is lightweight and easy to use, aluminum is the best material. Suitable for packing up on the go or simply stowing away with ease, aluminum retains heat well, keeping the fondue melted for longer – making it the ideal accessory to take to picnics, barbeques, and even parties.
Planning a fondue party? Regardless of your own cravings for fondue or if you need to feed a crowd, having the right fondue pot size ensures there’s plenty to go around.
Fondue pot sizes are measured in capacity other than size. Here are the types of fondue pot sizes available:
Less Than 2 Quarts: Most fondue pots are between 1–2 quarts since fondue is normally split amongst at least two people and every person eats around 7 ounces of cheese. A 1 quart fondue pot will comfortably feed up to 4 people where a 2 quart pot will feed 8.
To ready your table for your fondue, begin by placing your fondue set in the center of the table and surround it with small plates containing the various foods you plan to dip. Fortunately, fondue requires very little formal serving, but it does have some etiquette. Each guest will receive their own long fondue fork as well as a personal plate with a knife and fork. This setup allows each person to dip their fondue fork into the pot and then use their own cutlery to remove the food item to eat off their own plate rather than placing the food directly into their mouth. Due to the fact that fondue is a communal meal, this is the best way to maintain hygiene. For more fondue instructions, read our guide: How to Use a Fondue Pot.
Now that you know more about fondue and how to use a fondue pot, it’s time to bring the luxurious cheese (and chocolate) to your home!
