Fondue Do’s
Fondue is a fun, interactive way to enjoy a delicious meal. Something about preparing your food piece by piece and dipping different things in melted cheese makes fondue a beloved eating activity. If you’re planning to throw a fondue party or add it to your dinner plans, start by deciding what to serve with your fondue to get the most out of the experience.
We’ll go over the basics of fondue then offer great fondue ideas you can use for dinners, parties and more.
3 Types of Fondue
Fondue is a dish with many variations, including oil, chocolate and — the most popular type — cheese. Whatever fondue variation you indulge in, you’ll see it served melted in a communal pot for easy sharing. People then dunk and dip different ingredients like bread, vegetables, meats and more into the pot to eat fondue.
While the same fondue concept applies to each variation, there are some differences between eating cheese, chocolate or oil fondue. Cheese and chocolate fondue are primarily for dipping already cooked or baked side items. As long as the cheese or chocolate stays melted, little cooking is involved.
On the other hand, oil fondue is a little more extensive. Cooking food in oil fondue is like a combination of oil poaching and deep-frying. Ingredients will cook in the oil, but they won’t crisp up like they would in a deep-fryer. When you have oil fondue, it’s essential to use a neutral oil with a high smoke point and only fill the pot halfway to avoid potential overflow. Heat your oil before cooking, then enjoy the fondue process once it’s hot enough.
All fondue will provide a fun way to eat dinner or snacks.
What to Cook in Fondue
Now that you know the different types, you may be wondering what you can cook in fondue. The range of ingredients you can use for fondue is pretty broad, though it will depend on the variation you make. To get started, here are some tasty dippers you could pair with each fondue type:
Food to Fondue in Oil
Oil fondue opens the door to cooking fresh ingredients and accommodating many diets, like being vegetarian or vegan. If you’re planning to try this fun dip-and-cook method, you can use any ingredients you want. Here are some ideas that are great for oil fondue:
Meat: Beef, chicken, pork and lamb make wonderful components for oil fondue. You can quickly cook chunks or thin slices of meat in the oil. Ensure every piece is around the same size so the meat cooks evenly and leaves space for other ingredients in the pot.
Fish and seafood: Fish and seafood are other impressive fondue options. A firm fish like salmon or tuna will hold up well in the pot. Additionally, shellfish such as shrimp, scallops, crab and lobster also work well for fondue.
Vegetables: Fresh vegetables are great things to fondue in oil. Mushrooms, peppers, squash and more can add to the variety of your dipping options. If you have any dietary restrictions regarding meat, all fresh vegetables become excellent vegetarian fondue dippers.
Before cooking any food in oil, it’s vital to completely dry all the ingredients to ensure the oil doesn’t spit or bubble over.
What to Dip in Cheese Fondue
It may be tempting to eat the fondue by itself when you have cheese fondue, but you can enjoy the cheese to the fullest by pairing it with a wide range of ingredients. Some classic and unique dippers for cheese fondue include:`
Bread: Fresh bread with a solid crust soaks up cheese while adding a nice crunch. A French baguette, breadsticks, sourdough and pretzles work well with the flavors of melted cheese.
Cured meats: If you want some extra protein, cured meats like salami, prosciutto, soppressata and chorizo are great options for fondue. The cheese can balance some of the spice from chorizo or soppressata.
Vegetables: Fresh or roasted vegetables work well with cheese fondue. Whether you have potatoes, Brussels sprouts, broccoli or cauliflower, the cheese on top will enhance the veggies’ flavor.
Pickles: From regular dill pickles to the tiny cornichons, pickles are a unique idea for cheese fondue. The tanginess from the pickles combined with the creamy cheese fondue creates an explosion of flavor in one bite.
Pasta: Big pasta pieces like shells or rigatoni can help you create an individual deconstructed macaroni and cheese. Everyone knows pasta pairs well with cheese, so why not use it for fondue?
With the endless ingredient options, deciding what to dip in your cheese fondue may take longer than preparing it! If you choose ingredients that would usually be cooked, like pasta or potatoes, precook them before fondue time begins. Once you have everything prepared, you and your guests will relish eating satisfying, classic fondue bites and trying new flavor combinations.
Dipping Options for Chocolate Fondue
If you have a sweet tooth or prefer dessert, chocolate fondue is a delightful and decadent option. You can dip various ingredients in chocolate fondue to create sweet and salty flavor combinations and different textures. Some fun dippers include:
Fruit: Almost any fruit, whether fresh or dried, is perfect for chocolate fondue. Strawberries, bananas, orange slices and more dipped in chocolate make for a refreshing treat with just the right amount of sweetness. Ensure fresh fruit is dry before dipping so the chocolate sticks to it.
Cake, cookies and more: Chocolate works well in many desserts and can be a delicious topping for unfrosted cakes, cookies, brownies and more.
Bacon, pretzels, chips: Savory ingredients pair well with the sweetness of chocolate. The saltiness of a chip, pretzel or bacon strip adds the right amount of savory flavor to ensure the chocolate isn’t too sweet. Many of these options also deliver an excellent crunch factor for a more interesting texture.
Marshmallows: Chocolate fondue and marshmallows are a great combination. The chewy texture of a marshmallow combined with smooth, warm chocolate makes a sweet, ooey-gooey bite.
Enjoy chocolate fondue whenever you’re in the mood for delicious sweets.
Get Your Fondue Ingredients From Feeser’s Food Distributors
When you’re planning your fondue night with friends and family, ensure you have high-quality food for delicious dippers. Feeser’s Food Distributors has all the supplies you need for fondue. We stock thousands of items from national brands you love and local sources to ensure you get the freshest produce, seafood, meats and more. You can count on us for all your food needs all year-round.
What started as a produce stand over 100 years ago has evolved into a popular, trustworthy food distributor serving customers throughout the mid-Atlantic. Our dedicated specialists have many years of experience and can help you find the products you’re looking for.
Shop Feeser’s today for all your fondue needs. Call us at 1-800-326-2828 to speak with a Feeser’s representative about our products list and pricing. If you have any questions about our programs or items, contact us through our online form today!