Spicy White Cheese Fondue Food

SPICY CHEESE FONDUE

Steps:

• Rub the inside of a fondue pot or earthenware casserole with the halved garlic; discard or leave pieces in the pot for stronger garlic flavor.
• Pour the wine into the top of a double boiler over simmering water; heat wine to a simmer.
• Add the cheese 1/4 cup at a time to the double boiler, stirring after each addition until all the cheese is melted, stir in cornstarch.
• Add tequila, cilantro and chili powder, stirring until blended.
• Carefully pour cheese mixture into fondue pot.
• Place pot on the table, use bread, tortillas and vegetables for dipping into cheese.

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)

CHEESE FONDUE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, coat the cheeses with cornstarch and set aside. Rub the inside of the ceramic fondue pot with the garlic, then discard.
• Over medium heat, add the wine and lemon juice and bring to a gentle simmer. Gradually stir the cheese into the simmering liquid. Melting the cheese gradually encourages a smooth fondue. Once smooth, stir in cherry brandy, mustard and nutmeg.
• Arrange an assortment of bite-sized dipping foods on a lazy Susan around fondue pot. Serve with chunks of French and pumpernickel breads. Some other suggestions are Granny Smith apples and blanched vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and asparagus. Spear with fondue forks or wooden skewers, dip, swirl and enjoy!

SPICY WHITE CHEESE FONDUE

Steps:

• 1. In a bowl, toss together the parmesan cheese and cornstarch.
• 2. In a medium saucepan, cook the milk, chicken broth and chiles over medium heat until warm. Add the cream cheese and cook, whisking, until smooth, about 5 minutes. Bring to a simmer and add the parmesan mixture, a 1/2 cup at a time, stirring until smooth. Cook the sauce over low heat for about 5 minutes.
• 3. Serve the fondue warm in a fondue pot with the bacon, potatoes, apples and pretzel rods for dipping.
• 4. *Thick-cut bacon, cooked and cut into 1-inch pieces Suggestions for dipping: *seasoned or buttered cubed toasted bread *Small new potatoes, boiled and halved *Gala apples, cored and sliced *Pretzel rods

CHEESE FONDUE

Steps:

• Cut the baguette into bite-size pieces, and put in a serving bowl. Scrub the potatoes, and transfer to a pot of water over medium heat; boil until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain, and set aside to cool in a serving bowl.
• When you're about 15 minutes from sitting down at the table, rub the inside of a fondue pot with the cut end of the garlic, then discard the garlic. Whisk together the wine and cornstarch, then pour through a fine-mesh strainer into the fondue pot. Put the pot over medium heat and continue to whisk until the liquid comes to a simmer, then turn down the heat a little and ditch the whisk for a wooden spoon. Add the Gruyère and Appenzeller, gently stirring to help it heat and melt evenly. When it's almost smooth, turn the heat down to low, and add the Vacherin Fribourgeois. It might look alternately lumpy and oily, but keep stirring, and it will get smooth again.
• At this point, you may need to adjust the texture of the fondue to make it just right for dipping. If it's too thick and resisting the wooden spoon, add a splash of white wine to thin it slightly. Season with a tablespoon of kirschwasser and a few grinds of black pepper, and stir well. Take the fondue pot to the table, where you can keep it warm over a lit Sterno, and stir it occasionally to keep the bottom from browning. (If it gets too hot and you have an adjustable lid for the flame, turn it down or off. If it cools too much and solidifies, carry it back to the kitchen and stir it over higher heat.) Serve with bread, potatoes and cornichons on the side.
• When you get down to the bottom of the pot, if you've still got an appetite, crack an egg directly into the fondue pot, and let it cook over the last bits of browning cheese. When the white is about set but the yolk is still runny, turn off the heat below the pot, and dip in any remaining bread.