Cheese fondue
It’s hard to say when people first started melting cheese and dipping bread into it, but the first known recipe for cheese fondue comes from a 1699 Swiss cookbook. The dish became popular in the 19th century, when it was promoted as a healthy, hearty way to prevent malnutrition in the Swiss Alps. By the mid-20th century, cheese fondue had become a global phenomenon, appearing in everything from French cookbooks to James Beard’s American Cookery.
Cheese fondue is traditionally made with a mix of Gruyère and Emmental cheeses, though other types of cheese can be used. The cheeses are melted in a pot with white wine, garlic, and a bit of Kirsch (a cherry-flavored liqueur). Dippers include bread, vegetables, and fruit.
Over the years, cheese fondue has been adapted to suit different tastes and diets. In the 1970s, it became a popular party dish, often served with a variety of dippers, such as pretzels, crackers, and apples. In the 1980s, cheese fondue recipes began to include ingredients like beer, mustard, and Tabasco sauce. Today, there are endless variations on the classic
Advice
When making cheese fondue, keep in mind that it can be a time consuming activity, so make sure to plan ahead. Start by prepping your ingredients and having them ready to go before beginning to heat your cheese. The cheese should be melted slowly over low heat and stirred often to avoid burning. Once your cheese has melted and is combined with the other ingredients, it should be transferred to a fondue pot that has been preheated. To keep your cheese fondue warm and creamy, use a heat source that can be adjusted, such as a candle or electric burner. Finally, don't forget to have plenty of fresh, crusty bread and vegetables ready for dipping!
Questions
What type of cheese is best for fondue?
Swiss cheese is the most common type of cheese used for fondue. Other types of cheese such as Gruyère, Emmental, Raclette, Appenzeller, Comté, and Beaufort also work well.
What is traditionally dipped in a fondue?
Traditionally, bread, cubed meats, vegetables, and fruit are all common items to dip in a fondue.
Can you use any cheese for fondue?
Yes, you can use any type of cheese for fondue, such as Swiss, Gruyere, Emmental, Comté, Fontina, Appenzeller, Beaufort, Cheddar, or Gouda.
Why does cheese fondue Need wine?
Cheese fondue often calls for wine as an ingredient because it adds flavor and helps to thin the cheese out. The alcohol in wine also acts as an emulsifier, which helps to prevent the cheese from separating.
Should you boil cheese fondue?
No, you should not boil cheese fondue. Cheese fondue is usually heated over a low flame or in a fondue pot, but boiling it will cause it to become grainy and lose its flavor.
What can you not drink with cheese fondue?
You should not drink alcohol with cheese fondue. Alcohol can make the fondue difficult to digest, and can also overpower the taste of the cheese.
What can I use in place of Gruyere in fondue?For another smooth, semi-hard Swiss cheese, Emmental is a great choice. In fact, it's often used with Gruyère when making fondue, so you know it will have a similar melting power.Feb 23, 202210 Best Gruyère Cheese Substitutes - The Pioneer Womanhttps://www.thepioneerwoman.com › cooking-tips-tutorialshttps://www.thepioneerwoman.com › cooking-tips-tutorialsSearch for: What can I use in place of Gruyere in fondue?
Comté cheese. Emmental cheese Fontina cheese Provolone cheese Gouda cheese Cheddar cheese Manchego cheese Jarlsberg cheese Swiss cheese Havarti cheese Parmesan cheese
How do you keep cheese from clumping in fondue?Adding a little cornstarch also helps bind the cheese with the liquid. Either add 1 tablespoon for each pound of grated cheese at the beginning or blend 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in with a little kirsch once the cheese is melted. Since fondue toughens as it sits, don't make it wait. And do savor that first bite.How can I keep my cheese fondue from clumping? - Exploratoriumhttps://www.exploratorium.edu › cooking › icookshttps://www.exploratorium.edu › cooking › icooksSearch for: How do you keep cheese from clumping in fondue?
Adding a little cornstarch to the melted cheese can help keep the cheese from clumping. Simply mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with a little cold kirsch (a brandy-like liquor) and stir it into the melted cheese. This will help bind the cheese together, making it easier to dip. You can also add a few drops of lemon juice to the melted cheese, as the acidity helps to prevent clumping.
Jump to: Ingredient Breakdown Insights
Recipes
Cheese Fondue
- dipper
- white wine
- cherry brandy
- lemon juice
- garlic
- gruyère cheese
- swiss cheese
- mustard
- nutmeg
- cornstarch
Classic Cheese Fondue
- bread broccoli
- nutmeg
- black pepper
- salt
- white wine
- garlic
- cornstarch
- kirsch
- emmenthaler
- gruyère cheese
Cheese Fondue Recipe With Cognac or Brandy
- garlic
- white wine
- cornstarch
- french baguette
- emmental cheese
- gruyère cheese
- kirschwasser
- nutmeg
- black pepper
- salt
Cheese Fondue
- carrot baton
- chicory
- sourdough
- nutmeg
- grinding pepper
- radicchio
- radish
- cheese
- garlic
- white wine
- cornstarch
- kirsch
Smoky 3 Cheese Fondue with Toasted Garlic Buttered Croissants.
- brandy
- truffle oil
- garlic
- white wine
- cayenne pepper
- smoked gouda cheese
- basil
- corn starch
- garlic
- swiss cheese
- butter
- croissant
- gruyère cheese
- steak veggy
- nutmeg
Blue Cheese Fondue with Cherry Tomatoes and Roasted Cipollini Onions
- black pepper
- salt
- cipollini onion
- butter
- garlic
- cherry tomato
- thyme
- blue cheese
- heavy cream
- olive oil
Cheese Fondue
- dipper
- white wine
- lemon juice
- garlic
- gruyère cheese
- nutmeg
- all purpose flour
- dijon mustard
- cheddar cheese
Blue Cheese Fondue
- salt
- milk
- blue cheese crumble
- cream cheese
- all purpose flour
- butter
Cheese Fondue
- kirsch
- garlic
- loaf french
- white wine
- emmental
- gruyère cheese
- black pepper
- nutmeg
- all purpose flour
Cheese Fondue with Beer and Bourbon
- ham
- salt
- babybel cheese
- gruyère cheese
- lemon juice
- belgian beer
- baking soda
- white wine
- bourbon
- garlic
- cornstarch
- ch bread
Cheese Fondue
- black pepper
- white wine
- garlic
- loaf bread
- emmentaler
- gruyère cheese
- mustard
- nutmeg
- cornstarch
Basic Cheese Fondue
- gruyère cheese
- swiss cheese
- chicken stock
- white wine
- kirshwasser
- cornstarch
- garlic
Foolproof Cheese Fondue Recipe
- salt
- bread
- white wine
- cornstarch
- lemon juice
- kirsch
- garlic
- emmentaler cheese
- gruyère cheese
Charcuterie and Cheese Fondue
- charcuterie board
- pepper jack cheese
- butter
- chipotle
- garlic
- shallot
- milk
- tomato
- cheese
Cheese Fondue
- vegetable
- nutmeg
- black pepper
- cornstarch
- baguette
- garlic
- white wine
- kirsch
- gouda cheese
- gouda cheese
Cheese Fondue
- bread
- white wine
- cornstarch
- sherry
- lemon juice
- dijon mustard
- garlic
- cayenne pepper
- jarlsberg cheese
- muenster cheese
Cheese Fondue
- salt
- beer
- apple
- pear
- fig
- blue cheese
- sharp white cheddar
- loaf french bread
- asparagus
Basic Cheese Fondue
- gruyère cheese
- swiss cheese
- chicken stock
- white wine
- kirschwasser
- cornstarch
- garlic
Cheese Fondue
- dipping
- pepper
- lemon juice
- french bread
- kirsch
- garlic
- broccoli
- artichoke heart
- cherry tomato
- cornstarch
- white wine
- gruyère cheese
Easy Cheese Fondue
- thyme
- olive oil
- salt
- cider
- cheddar cheese
- gruyère cheese
- crème fraîche
- shallot
- blue cheese
Cheese Fondue
- french
- meatball
- salami ch
- bite vegetable
- garlic
- white wine
- hot paprika
- white pepper
- cognac
- gruyère cheese
- unpasteurized emmenthaler
Homemade Cheese Fondue
- wine
- garlic
- chicken broth
- nutmeg
- gruyère cheese
- cornstarch
- cheddar cheese
Ingredient Breakdown
Insights
Staple Ingredients
- garlic 68%
- white wine 59%
Common Ingredients
- cornstarch 45%
- gruyère cheese 45%
- nutmeg 41%
Usual Ingredients
- salt 32%
- black pepper 27%
Rarey Ingredients
- kirsch 23%
- lemon juice 23%