Classic Cheese Fondue Food

CLASSIC FONDUE

Steps:

• Combine the raclette and Gruyere in a bowl and add the cornstarch. Toss well to coat the cheeses in the cornstarch; set aside.
• In a pot over medium heat, warm the wine, garlic and lemon zest. Do not allow this to come to a boil or the fondue may be grainy in the end.
• Slowly add the cheese mix a handful at a time, stirring and allowing each handful to melt completely before adding the next. Repeat until all the cheese is in the pot. Once completely smooth, stir in the kirsch, pepper and mustard. Pour the mixture into a fondue pot with a burner underneath to keep warm. Serve with Crusty Bread, apples and pears.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Put the loaf of bread on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes to crisp. Allow to cool, then tear into chunks for serving. Set aside.

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

CHEESE FONDUE

Steps:

• Grate all of the cheeses. In a medium bowl, combine the cheeses with the cornstarch, tossing thoroughly to coat all pieces.
• In a stove-safe fondue pot or large heavy saucepan, bring the wine, garlic, and lemon juice to a simmer over medium-low heat. Add the cheeses to the simmering liquid a little at a time, stirring well between each addition to ensure a smooth fondue. Once smooth, stir in the brandy, mustard, and nutmeg.
• Arrange an assortment of bite-size dipping foods on a platter. If necessary, carefully pour the fondue into a fondue pot. Serve with fondue forks or wooden skewers. Dip and enjoy!

CLASSIC CHEESE FONDUE VARIATIONS

Steps:

• Combine cheese and cornstarch in a bag. Shake to make sure cheese is coated with cornstarch.
• Rub inside of pot with garlic clove cut in half. Discard garlic.
• Note: When choosing your wine you may choose a color or flavor other than what is listed here. Sherry is good for appetizer fondue; Champagne, Nechatel or Fendant de Sion are good for either appetizers or the main course; and Rhine, Moselle, Chablis, Sauterne are best for main dishes.
• Pour in wine and lemon juice. Warm until bubbles rise to the surface. Do not cover or boil.
• Remember to stir constantly from now one. Add a handful of cheeses, keeping the heat medium (do not boil), when melted add another handful. After all the cheese is melted and bubbling add a dash of nutmeg and pepper. Transfer to fondue pot and keep warm over fondue burner.
• Note: If fondue becomes too thick add a bit of warmed wine. If it separates combine 1 T cornstarch and 2 T wine and stir into fondue.

CLASSIC CHEESE FONDUE

Steps:

• Toss cheeses in a medium bowl with flour, cayenne pepper, and white pepper to coat, and set aside. Heat wine in a fondue pot over medium heat until it starts to bubble, about 6 minutes.
• Stir in cheese mixture, a little at a time. Stir in kirsch. Continue to cook, stirring, until cheese has melted, 6 minutes. Stir in lemon juice. The mixture should be smooth and almost bubbling. Transfer pot to its stand set over a burner for up to 1 hour. Serve immediately with bread.

CLASSIC CHEESE FONDUE

Steps:

• Add white wine, cherry brandy, garlic clove, cayenne, nutmeg, and cornstarch to a saucepan. Whisk to combine and place on the stove over medium heat. Cook, whisking occasionally, until mixture thickens slightly and you can see wisps of steam in the pan, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Add Gruyere and Emmentaler cheeses, one handful at a time, slowly whisking after each addition until melted. Continue whisking until all cheese is melted and sauce is very smooth. Remove from the heat and transfer into a fondue pot to serve.
• Keep sauce warm while serving so it doesn't solidify.

CLASSIC CHEESE FONDUE

Steps:

• Rub cut side of garlic on inside of large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed saucepan, preferably cast iron, rubbing the bottom and halfway up the sides. Add wine and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, toss cheeses with cornstarch. Add a handful at a time to simmering wine, stirring until first handful melts before adding next. Reduce heat to medium and stir constantly until cheese is completely melted. Add kirsch, if using, and heat until bubbling, about 1 to 2 minutes. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg, if desired. Serve with crusty bread and other accompaniments. (See variations below)

CLASSIC CHEESE FONDUE

Steps:

• Toss the Gruyere and Emmental with the flour in a medium bowl.
• Combine the wine and garlic in a fondue pot or medium saucepan and bring to a simmer. Gradually add the cheese mixture while stirring constantly, simmering until the cheese is incorporated and thoroughly melted. Stir in the mustard, nutmeg and cherry brandy if using.
• If you are using a fondue pot, set it over its burner. Otherwise, pour the mixture into a slow cooker and set it to "warm." Serve with an assortment of dippers such as baguette cubes, sliced vegetables and sliced fruit.

CLASSIC CHEESE FONDUE

Steps:

• In a bowl, toss the Gruyere and Emmentaler with the cornstarch.
• Rub the inside of a cheese fondue pot, or medium, enameled cast-iron casserole with the garlic, then add the wine and bring to a simmer.
• Add the cheese mixture all at once.
• Using a wooden spoon, stir over moderately low heat just until the cheese is melted and smooth, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the Kirsch and season with salt and pepper.
• Serve with the bread, salami and pickles.
• Make ahead: The fondue can be refrigerated overnight and reheated in a microwave, or on the stove over low heat.

CLASSIC CHEESE FONDUE

Steps:

• Pour the wine and lemon juice into a heavy-based pan over a medium-low heat and warm until steaming. Add all of the cheese, a handful at a time, whisking between each addition until all the cheese has been added. Continue to stir for 4-5 mins until everything is fully melted, smooth and creamy. Mix the cornflour with the kirsch in a small bowl, then stir this into the cheese mixture. Continue to cook over a low heat for a minute more.
• Rub the garlic on the inside of the fondue pot, if you like, then carefully pour the cheese mixture into the pot and immediately place it over the flame. (If you don't have a fondue set, add the garlic along with the wine in step one, then remove and discard it before you add the kirsch mixture.) Serve immediately with crusty bread, boiled new potatoes, vegetable crudités or cornichons for dunking, if you like. You can place the fondue back over a low heat if you need to reheat it after serving.