As we head into the season of which I dare not name (*hint: Daylight is limited and Kleenex is plentiful), I'm craving comfort food. Is there anything more comforting than melted cheese? I think not. Therefore, 'tis the season to host a fundue party!
Here's What You'll Need:
The host provides the cheese fondue (BEST recipe ever below), while guests go potluck for a chocolate fondue dessert.
Last weekend I visited Alex on Yonge – a gorgeous cheese shop in Toronto. Check out their yummy Facebook page for cheese expertise and recipes. I sampled some of the most delicious cheeses. My favourite was the cave-aged Gruyere.
Just when I thought my taste buds had died and gone to heaven, out came the fondue. I know my way around a fondue pot, and this was truly the best I’ve ever had. Serve this to your guests and I guarantee there will be applause.
Alex on Yonge’s Swiss Classic Fondue Recipe Serves 4 (or me)
250g Emmentaler cheese, grated
250g Gruyère cheese, grated
100g Vacherin Fribourgeois (or Appenzeller Extra)
1 Cloved garlic, halved
1 cup Dry white wine
1 tbsp Freshly squeezed lemon juice
3 tbsp Kirsch (dry cherry schnapps)
1 tbsp Cornstarch
Pinch Freshly ground white pepper
Pinch Ground nutmeg
* To make it easy, you can buy pre-packs of the cheese blend from Alex on Yonge.
1. In a bowl, combine Emmentaler, Gruyère, and Vacherin; mix well. Set aside.
2. Rub the inside of a large saucepan with cut sides of garlic. Discard garlic. Add wine and lemon juice; bring to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low.
3. Add cheese mixture in small amounts to saucepan, whisking constantly after each addition in a figure-eight motion until cheese is melted.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together kirsch and cornstarch until smooth; stir into melted cheese. Season with white pepper and nutmeg, stirring until smooth. Transfer to fondue pot and serve immediately.
For a sweet dessert, assign guests "dipping items" to bring for the chocolate fundue, i.e. strawberries, banana chunks, cake cut into cubes, etc.. There are lots of great chocolate fondue recipes, but I enjoy the simple Toblerone version.
Break up a 100g Milk Chocolate Toblerone bar and heat in a sauce pan on medium. Add a 300g can of condensed milk. Stir until the mixture is completely blended.
For a fall party, serve chocolate fondue in a pumpkin!
Kids at your party? Hopefully not, but sometimes we have to bring them along. I love my children, but I'm not letting them near a hot fondue pot or those pointy sticks. Here's a safe and simple, kid friendly fondue.
Get cheesy and have fun everybody! Happy FUNdue!
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