February is National Fondue Month
February is National Fondue Month
We can't think of a better way to warm up the coldest months of the year than with melted cheese! Fondue is a European tradition that made its way into the United States in the 1960s. It has its history ...
We can't think of a better way to warm up the coldest months of the year than with melted cheese! Fondue is a European tradition that made its way into the United States in the 1960s. It has its history in and is to this day enjoyed widely in Switzerland, Italy and France. It's an unpretentious, simple and uniquely fun dish that amounts to little more than melted cheese served in a communal pot.
The term fondue is often generalized to include any dish in which food is dipped into a pot of hot liquid such as chocolate, oil or broth. Nonetheless, traditional cheese fondue is by far the most popular type of fondue. Our recipe for Classic Fondue is made by heating white wine with cornstarch, adding grated cheese and stirring constantly until melted. The fondue pot is typically rubbed with a cut garlic clove before cooking. The finished dish is often topped off with a bit of Kirsch.
The French name for a fondue pot is caquelon, but you don't need one to enjoy fondue. Small slow cookers (Crock-Pots) are very effective at keeping fondue warm for serving. A makeshift double boiler for gently cooking the fondue and melting the cheese is easy to create on a stovetop with a bowl set over a pot of simmering water. With care, fondue can even be made directly in a saucepan over very low heat.
Did You Know?
- The introduction of cornstarch to Switzerland in 1905 made it easier to make a smooth and stable emulsion of wine and cheese and probably contributed to the success of fondue in the years that followed. It was promoted as a Swiss national dish by the Swiss Cheese Union in the 1930s as a way of increasing cheese consumption.
- Tradition says that if a man loses his bread in the pot, he buys the next round of drinks. If a woman loses her food in the pot, she must kiss those seated immediately to both her right and left.
Wine Picks
Wines to enjoy with fondue include Sauvignon Blanc, Grüner Veltliner or other crisp, dry whites. Light to medium-bodied reds also work. Try Zweigelt or St. Laurent.
Favorite Fondue Recipes
Selection and availability of products and ingredients vary by market. Look for fondue pots at select Kowalski's Markets.
