Fondue and Cheese question??

becca070707Ken

So as you may know my baby sister is getting married in August and my other sister and I are having a Bachelorette party for her Aug. 7. She wanted a Pampered Chef party and something at home so some of her no so legal friends could attend, so that is what we are doing. We are going to have just appetizers and drinks. My older sister wants to have wine and cheese, but we both know nothing about the two together. Any ideas? We are also having a chocolate fountain (I promise I washed it and will not let Kellen or DH near it) and cheese fondue. Any ideas? Have you ever been to a Fondue get together? If so what kind of cheese did they have and what did they serve with it? If not and you have a great recipe for one can you post it? Also, if you have or have had a cheese and wine party what cheese should you get with what kind of wine? Any other ideas as to what to have would be wonderful. My brain is fried! It is hard to throw a party with someone else when your ideas are going in different directions. Thanks so much!

KristenBtobe

I've never made fondue, but the classic fondue cheese is emmentaler and I think gruyere. I know they sell it at Fresh Market and Kroger in the Murray's cheese shop. I'd serve chunks of bread, apples, veggies.

I would totally go to Fresh Market, Whole Foods, or Murray's to talk to someone about offering a selection of cheeses and wine pairings. They are trained to know what goes together etc.

LoriZ

Sorry this is going to be short, but Allison isn't letting me have much computer time.  Meijer sells a cheese fondue kit in the produce area.  You just throw it in the fondue pot and let it melt.

KaraMGM

My favorite recipe is this Williams-Sonoma recipe:

Ingredients:

1-lb. loaf French bread, cut into cubes

1 garlic clove, halved

2 Tbs. unsalted butter

2 Tbs. all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. dry mustard

1 1/2 cups dry white wine

10 oz. Emmentaler cheese, grated

10 oz. Gruy?re cheese, grated

1 Tbs. kirsch

Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg

Pinch of freshly ground pepper

Pinch of paprika

Salt, to taste

Directions:

Preheat an oven to 350?F.

Arrange the bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet and toast in the oven until golden, 6 to 8 minutes. Set aside.

Rub the inside of a heavy 2-quart saucepan with the cut sides of the garlic halves; discard the garlic. Set the pan over medium-low heat and melt the butter. Add the flour and dry mustard and whisk until blended. Whisk in the wine and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and add the cheeses in small handfuls, stirring until creamy and smooth, about 4 minutes. Stir in the kirsch, nutmeg, pepper, paprika and salt.

Assemble the fondue pot, add the cheese fondue to the pot and keep warm according to the manufacturer's instructions. Serve with the toasted bread cubes and individually marked fondue forks for dipping. Serves 4 to 6.

Swiss cheese, brie, pepper jack, fontina, smoked gouda, and bleu cheeses also work well for fondue.

I've seen fondue served at parties with artisan breads, apples, cherry tomatoes, fingerling potatoes, gnocchi, grapes, ham, pears, pretzels, radishes, and sausage depending on the type of cheese used in the fondue. I prefer apples. Some people also offer an acidic side when serving fondue (not meant for dipping, just as an accompaniment), such as pickles.

I think caramel fondue is fun for parties, too. Cooking Light has a recipe that we like. We use the brandy, but you don't have to use the brandy.

• 82  small soft caramel candies (about 1 1/2 pounds)
• 3/4  cup  apple cider
• 1/2  cup  half-and-half
• 1  tablespoon brandy (optional)
• Dash of ground nutmeg
• 2  whole cloves
• 1  (3-inch) cinnamon stick
• 9  Granny Smith apples, each cut into 8 wedges (about 4 1/2 pounds)

Place candies and cider in a medium heavy saucepan over medium heat; cook 12 minutes or until candies melt, stirring frequently. Stir in half-and-half and next 4 ingredients (half-and-half through cinnamon). Reduce heat, and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Discard the cloves and cinnamon stick. Pour into a fondue pot. Keep warm over low flame. Serve with apple wedges.

 

I've usually had Moscato D? Asti, Reisling, or White Zinfandel with chocolate fondue, but I'm not sure what works well with cheese fondue.

 

Have fun!

JLPT830

Don't know if it would work since some of the guests don't sound of age, but my aunt, uncle, cousins have secret wine tasting parties all the time.  They actually sell a kit for the game, but you could totally DIY it.  Everyone brings a bottle of wine.  You cover each bottle and number them.  Then everyone can taste at their leisure and vote for their favorite.  Whoever brought the wine with the most votes wins a prize.  Then it wouldn't matter what cheese goes with which wine!  You could just serve a selection of different cheeses.  Have fun!