Champagne Fondue Food

THREE-CHEESE FONDUE WITH CHAMPAGNE

Steps:

• Stir cornstarch and lemon juice in small bowl until cornstarch dissolves; set aside.
• Combine Champagne and shallot in fondue pot or heavy medium saucepan; simmer over medium heat 2 minutes.
• Remove pot from heat.
• Add all cheeses and stir to combine.
• Stir in cornstarch mixture.
• Return fondue pot to medium heat and stir until cheeses are melted and smooth and fondue thickens and boils, about 12 minutes.
• Season fondue with nutmeg and white pepper.
• Place over candle or canned heat burner to keep warm.
• Serve with bread cubes.

CHEESE FONDUE

Steps:

• Rub inside of a 4-quart heavy pot with cut sides of garlic, then discard garlic. Add wine to pot and bring just to a simmer over moderate heat.
• Stir together cornstarch and kirsch (if using; otherwise, use water or wine) in a cup.
• Gradually add cheese to pot and cook, stirring constantly in a zigzag pattern (not a circular motion) to prevent cheese from balling up, until cheese is just melted and creamy (do not let boil). Stir cornstarch mixture again and stir into fondue. Bring fondue to a simmer and cook, stirring, until thickened, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer to fondue pot set over a flame.
• What to dip:
• •Cubes of French bread
• •Cubes of apple and pear
• •Roasted potatoes
• •Julienned raw red bell pepper
• •Blanched broccoli florets
• What to drink:
• •Dry white wine such as dry Riesling or Sancerre
• •German lager or Saison-style ale
• •Farmhouse cider
• •Fino Sherry

ALMOND CHAMPAGNE FONDUE

Steps:

• Shred Gruyere and Swiss cheeses using a hand grater to keep the cheese loose. Add cornstarch and toss to coat cheese. Remove rind from brie and cut into small cubes.
• In a heavy 3-quart saucepan on medium heat bring champagne just to a simmer but do not boil. Reduce heat to low.
• Add shredded cheeses and brie gradually stirring constantly until cheese is melted. Add almond extract and nutmeg.
• Simmer 5 to 8 minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened and smooth. Do not boil.
• Serve in a fondue pot if you have one or keep warm over a canned heat burner or even a small crock pot set to low. Try apple slices and bread cubes for dipping or any item of your choosing.

HONEY CHAMPAGNE FONDUE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine cornstarch, ground mustard and white pepper. Whisk in champagne and lemon juice until smooth. Add shallot and garlic; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook and stir until thickened, about 1 minute. Gradually stir in cheese until melted. Stir in honey. Sprinkle with nutmeg., Keep warm in a fondue pot or small slow cooker. Serve with toasted bread, asparagus, apple slices, endive or cooked shrimp as desired.

CHEESE FONDUE

Steps:

• Simmer wine in fondue pot. Add Swiss cheese, Gruyere cheese, 1/4 pound at a time. Stir after each addition of cheese until melted. Stir in flour. When all the cheese has melted, stir in salt and nutmeg. Serve with cut-up French bread.

CHAMPAGNE FONDUE

Steps:

• Rub the bottom and lower sides of the inside of the crock with the garlic clove, then discard the garlic.
• Pour the Champagne into the slow cooker, turn on HIGH, and cook, uncovered, for 30 minutes to evaporate some of the alcohol.
• Combine the Emmental and Gruyere cheese in a large bowl and toss with the cornstarch and lemon juice.
• When the wine is hot, add the cheese slowly, a handful at a time, letting each addition melt before adding the next, and stirring to keep lumps from forming.
• Decrease heat to LOW, cover and cook until the cheese is melted, about 1 hour.
• It will keep on LOW for up to an additional hour before you need to serve it.
• The melted cheese will be the consistency of a light cream sauce.
• Stir in the pepper right before serving.
• Set the slow cooker in the entertaining area, set on LOW, leave the cover off, and dip the bread cubes.