It may be as old as bell-bottoms and platform shoes, but fondue is back by popular demand and takes center stage at a retro fondue party.
Getting guests involved with preparing their own food with fondue is a great ice-breaker for casual entertaining. Party guests will love the hands-on cooking, and a fondue pot is a perfect centerpiece for small gatherings and intimate dining.
Fondue originated in Switzerland in the 18th century, according to a fondue history on FondueFusion.com. Fondue was made a modern favorite in the 1950s, when a New York City chef introduced cooking small cubes of meat in hot oil. In the 1960s and '70s, fondue gained popularity in American homes, where dinner guests would cook their own meat in hot oil fondue, dip chunks of bread in cheese fondue, and dip fruits in chocolate fondue.
In recent years, fondue has become a popular choice for dining out. The Melting Pot, with its 145 locations, has guests “fondueing” appetizers, entrees and dessert.
Fondue is perfect for entertaining at home. Have some fun with a retro fondue party. Ask guests to bring or wear something from the '70s. Have everyone bring something to dip in the fondue pot. For a large crowd or for more variety, have three fondue pots in different areas - one with sizzling hot oil, one with cheese and one with chocolate.
Fondue Pots
Fondue pots have come a long way from the avocado green and burnt orange pots of the ‘70s. Check out fonduepots.com for the many types of fondue pots available now. Fondue pots come in a variety of sizes and heat sources. Some have lazy-susan bases and others have accompanying bowls for dipping sauces and other accessories
Sizzling Hot Oil Fondue
Dipping chunks of meat into hot oil, also known as fondue Bourguignonne, is a favorite from fondue's first round of popularity in the US in the '60s and '70s. When serving sizzling fondue, hot oil is put into the fondue pot and kept at a very high temperature. Skewers of tender beef and chicken are cooked in the hot oil and then dipped in dipping sauces.
If you're serving hot oil fondue, no need to stop at meat. You can fondue mushrooms, cauliflower, broccoli, green and red peppers, potatoes, and other raw vegetables in hot oil as well.
Get creative or classic with dipping sauces:
- Hollandaise Sauce
- Ranch dressing
- Horseradish Sauce - Mayonnaise, horseradish, a dash of dry mustard, salt and pepper
- Spicy Soy Sauce - 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 4 teaspoons lemon juice, 2 chopped green chili peppers, I clove minced garlic and 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- Béarnaise Sauce
- Dijon Mustard Sauce - Equal amounts of mayonnaise and Dijon mustard
Cheese Fondue
A mix of a variety of cheeses and wine, cheese fondue is perfect for bread, fruit and vegetables. Cheese fondue is a great appetizer or first course. With party guests gathered around the fondue pot, you'll get conversation going at the first dunk.
Cubed French bread is a traditional fondue for cheese, but much more can be dipped into cheese fondue:
- Pita bread wedges
- Baked polenta squares
- Blanched vegetables - Broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, snow peas
- Roasted vegetables - Red peppers, potato wedges, carrots, sweet potatoes
- Raw vegetables - Green peppers, cherry tomatoes, celery sticks
- Fruit - Grapes, apples, pears or whatever is in season
Classic Cheese Fondue Recipe
- 1 clove garlic, peeled and cut in half
- 1 pound Gruyere cheese, shredded (or 1/2 pound Gruyere and 1/2 pound Emmental cheese)
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 3/4 cup dry white wine
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Toss grated cheese with flour. Rub the inside of a medium saucepan with the cut sides of the garlic halves. Add wine to saucepan and place on medium heat. Bring to a simmer and add cheese mixture, one handful at a time. Stir in nutmeg. Stir over low heat until smooth and cheese is melted and bubbling. Transfer to a fondue pot. Continue to stir frequently.
Chocolate Fondue
Chocolate fondue is a delicious dessert for a fondue party. Simply mix up a chocolate fondue, and let your guests dip fruit and other sweets.
Some chocolate fondue dippers include:
- Strawberries
- Cherries
- Orange sections
- Graham crackers
- Marshmallows
- Ladyfingers
- Raisin bread cubes
- Angel food cake cubes
- Pound cake cubes
- Bite-sized brownies
- Biscotti
- Pretzels
- Crystallized ginger
- Shortbread
Chocolate Fondue Recipe
- 1 pound premium semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
In a medium saucepan over low heat bring cream to a simmer. Add chocolate. Simmer, stirring until the chocolate is melted. Transfer the mixture to a fondue pot. Stir occasionally.
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