Fondue Fun

My family and I had a wonderful meal at the Melting Pot this past weekend. It was a swanky, stylish restaurant with a romantic feel. What fun we had dipping our little tidbits into molten cheesy deliciousness, Coq Au Vin that was out of this world, and oozing, delectable Chocolate Delight! 

Since my pickiest of eaters enjoyed the experience so much (cleared her whole plate), I decided that this should be something that I could do at home. What kid, big or small, doesn't love to dip food into sauces, dressings or creams? 

So let’s get started:

Fondue can be made in a special fondue pot but can also be created in a crock pot, microwave or saucepan. If using the microwave or saucepan place pan or microwave bowl on a electric hot plate. Set on low and stir often.

Start with melted cheese served with apples slices, crispy bread cubes, crisp apple cubes, assorted veggies, such as carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, celery (whatever your family prefers).

Cheese Fondue
Traditional Swiss Cheese Fondue
Wisconsin Trio Cheese Fondue

Now for the meat, cut up small chunks of steak, chicken, salmon and peeled and deveined shrimp and scallops. For vegetables, set out whole white mushrooms, onions, carrots, broccoli and cauliflower.

Each person needs two plates, one for the raw meat and one for everything else. Pair young kids with adults to make sure there's no cross-contamination with the raw meat going on. 

Stab a piece of meat or a vegetable with the fondue fork and set it in the simmering broth until it's done, about two minutes for a piece of raw meat, and one-and-a-half minutes for seafood and vegetables.

Side-note: Although everyone agreed our dinner at the Melting Pot was delicious, my teenage boys were grumbling a little because they had to wait for each bite of meat, so I would suggest serving some hearty side dishes like rice or potatoes. It also helped to explain that fondue was a social experience and not just about shoveling in food.

Court Bouillon Broth
Mojo Fondue Broth

Dips are also an important part to your fondue-ing. Sure...you’ve just cooked your meat in a flavorful broth, but it still needs a little extra something. Here are a few suggestions:

Horseradish Sauce
Honey Mustard Dip
Curry Dipping Sauce
Dijon Mustard Sauce
Curry Mustard Sauce

Now for the best part...dessert! The possibilities are endless: strawberries, bananas, cherries, kiwi, pretzels, marshmallows, pound cake, brownies, cookies, angel food cake...the list goes on.

Chocolate Fondue
Chocolate Fondue in the Crockpot
Caramel Fondue
Peanut Butter Fondue

Melted cheese, pointy forks and flaming chocolate never get old!

Anyone who has tried fondue is sure to have a story or two to tell about their fun experience!