Chocolate Midnight Fondue Food

CHOCOLATE FONDUE

Steps:

• To make the sauce, in a small bowl, combine the chocolate and 1/2 cup milk or cream and melt gently in a barely simmering water bath or microwave on Medium (50 percent) power for about 2 minutes.
• Stir until smooth.
• Add more liquid if the sauce seems too thick or look curdled.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
• Use warm fondue immediately or set aside until needed and rewarm briefly.
• Have forks, skewers, or pretty (or goofy) swizzle sticks available for guests to dip with.
• If the fondue gets too thick or cool, reheat gently (without boiling) for 1 minute in the microwave on Medium (50percent) power or set in a pan of barely simmering water.
• Leftover sauce keeps several days in the refrigerator.
• It is a prefect topping for ice cream.
• Note: This is a versatile recipe that can be tailored to your taste and the type of chocolate you are using.
• For the most intense chocolate fondue, use milk, rather than half-and-half or cream, and omit the butter.
• For even greater intensity, choose a bittersweet chocolate labeled anywhere from 66 percent to 70 percent and use the greater amount of liquid called for.
• Butter or cream results in a softer, mellower chocolate flavor.
• Ideas for dipping: Kumquats or segments of seedless clementines, oranges, or ruby grapefruit- If possible, separate the citrus into segments without breaking the membrane.
• If you set the segments on a rack to dry in a warm place or in the oven, preheated to 200° F, then turned off for several hours, the membrane will dry like crisp paper and the juices will burst in your mouth when you take a bite.
• Chunks of pineapple Chunks of fresh coconut or large curls of dried coconut Chunks of banana Dried fruit such as apricot, mango, papaya, pineapple, or Bing cherries Strips of good-quality candied orange, grapefruit or lemon peel Cubes of pound cake or angel food cake, or toasted cubes of brioche or challah Cigarette cookies, fan wafers, graham crackers or digestive biscuits, or pretzels Marshmallows or meringues Toasted shaved almonds (to sprinkle on after dipping).

CHOCOLATE MIDNIGHT FONDUE

Steps:

• 1. In medium pan, heat cream and salt over low heat til hot but not boiling. Gradually stir in chocolate, letting each addition melt before adding more. Stir in cognac.
• 2. Transfer to a ceramic fondue pot and set over a lot flame. Regulate flame under fondue to keep it as low as possible. If it begins to boil, turn off heat.
• 3. Variations: Chocolate almond fondue: Substitute amaretto for the cognac. Serve with fresh or dried picots, and small bowls of chopped toasted almonds on the side to roll the chocolate coated bites in Chocolate Fondue a L'Orange: Substitute Grand Marnier, Cointreau, Triple Sec or other orange flavored liqueur for the cognac Chocolate hazelnut fondue: Substitute Frangelico or other hazelnut liqueur for the cognac. For added richness, stir in 3 Tbsp. chocolate hazelnut spread, such as Nutella, til melted and smooth. Chocolate Macchiato Fondue: Before adding the chocolate, add 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the warm cream and stir til dissolved. Substitute coffee liqueur, such as Kahlua for the cognac. Chocolate Pina Colada Fondue: Substitute dark rum and 1/2 tsp. coconut extract for the cognac. Serve with fresh or dried pineapple chunks, and small bowls of sweetened flaked coconut on the side to roll chocolate coated bites in. Chocolate Razzle Dazzle Fondue: Substitute framboise (raspberry eau de vie) or Chambord (black raspberry liqueur) for the cognac, and stir in 1 cup (6 oz) fresh raspberries. Chocolate Voodoo fondue: Substitute crème de banana for the cognac. Serve banana chips and fresh banana chunks for dipping. Dark Chocolate Mint Fondue: Substitute crème de menthe or a chocolate peppermint liqueur, such as Vandermint for the Cognac. Irish Dream Fondue: Substitute 1 Tbsp. Irish whisk and 2 Tbsp. Baileys or other Irish cream liqueur for the cognac.

CHOCOLATE-ALMOND PUDDING FONDUE

Steps:

• In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the sugar and cornstarch. Slowly add the milk, whisking until combined. Cook until the mixture boils and begins to thicken. Add the chocolate. Temper the egg yolk with some of the chocolate mixture and pour the yolk into the saucepan. Cook, stirring constantly, over low heat until smooth and thick. Remove from heat and stir in the almond extract. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve with fresh strawberries, pound cake chunks, cheesecake chunks, and cookies.

CHOCOLATE LOVER'S FONDUE

Steps:

• Serve chocolate with assorted dippers, such as JET-PUFFED Marshmallows, pound cake cubes, vanilla creme-filled chocolate sandwich cookies, strawberries, peeled kiwi slices, orange wedges, apple slices, maraschino cherries, candy canes or pretzel rods.

QUICK CHOCOLATE FONDUE

Steps:

• Break the chocolate bar into chunks-- the smaller the chunks, the smoother, faster and easier the chocolate will melt.
• Heat the half-and-half in a non-stick saucepan on a low flame while adding the chocolate, stirring constantly until chocolate is melted to the consistency you desire.
• Use more half-and-half for thinner fondu, less for thicker.
• Be careful not to over-cook because the chocolate will form a film which may taste bitter if reblended into mixture.
• Serve in a chocolate fondu pot (reasonably priced at Target. com) or in a ceramic bowl (to hold the heat longer).
• The fondu pot is better because it allows you to keep chocolate warm with a tea light.
• Dip fruit into chocolate and enjoy!
• Notes: If you do not have fondu forks, you can use bamboo skewers.
• I cut them in half for ease of use.
• Arrange and serve the fruit on a pretty platter.
• This makes the experience that much more delightful.
• Dried fruits, nuts and popcorn are delicious dippers, too!
• Chocolate fondue goes very well with dry champagne, full-bodied red wines and crisp, dry white wines.
• Enjoy!

CHOCOLATE FONDUE

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in a double boiler over barely simmering water and heat, stirring occasionally, until melted and smooth. To serve, keep warm in a fondue pot. Use for dipping biscotti (see recipe), strawberries, banana slices, cherries, clementines, tangerines or cubes of pound cake.

CHOCOLATE FONDUE & TOASTED MARSHMALLOW

Steps:

• Put the chocolate, butter, cream and milk into a saucepan, then heat gently, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate is melted and the sauce is smooth. Thread marshmallows onto skewers, then carefully toast on the fire, or leave until cold. Dip into the fondue and eat straight away.