Southwestern Chile Cheese Fondue Food

SOUTHWESTERN CHILE CHEESE FONDUE

Steps:

• 1. In large bowl, toss the Monterey Jack and cheddar with the cornstarch to coat.
• 2. In large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, til onion is softened but not browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, chile peppers, and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, til most of the moisture evaporates, about 5 minutes. Pour in the light cream and cook, stirring til sauce just reaches a boil. Reduce heat to low.
• 3. Break cream cheese into small pieces and gradually stir into the hot chile tomato sauce til melted and smooth. Gradually stir in the shredded cheese mixture, letting each addition melt before adding more. Stir in the lime juice, cumin and cayenne. Taste, adding salt if needed.
• 4. Transfer to a fondue pot, preferably ceramic or enameled cast iron. Sprinkle the cilantro and scallions over the top and serve at once. Regulate the heat under pot if possible so that the cheese fondue remains warm, not hot.

SOUTHWESTERN CHILE-CHEESE FONDUE

Steps:

• Place garlic and beer in saucepan, and heat over low until simmering.
• Mix cornstarch with water, stirring to make paste, and stir into beer. Increase heat and cook beer until it boils and begins to thicken. Reduce heat to low. Add pumpkin seeds and cook 2 minutes.
• Add cheese and, using generous handfuls at a time, stir into beer until cheese melts, 2 to 3 minutes. Repeat until cheese is gone. Stir in green chiles.
• Transfer cheese mixture to fondue pot or crockpot. Keep fondue warm over alcohol burner or in crockpot over lowest setting. Serve with accompaniments.

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)

CHEDDAR FONDUE WITH CHILES AND CUMIN

Steps:

• In a heavy saucepan, heat oil and cumin until fragrant. Add butter and heat until melted, then stir in flour. Cook, whisking, until thickened. Slowly add milk and cream, whisking constantly until smooth, and bring to a boil. Slowly whisk in cheese, then chile and Aleppo pepper. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with flatbread or croutons.