Bonaparte Fondue Recipes

HOW TO FONDUE WITH OIL

Steps:

• Place your electric fondue pot on the dinner table where it will be served. Add oil to our fondue pot, being sure not to fill it pass the max fill line. Secure the electric cord so no one trips over it!
• Plug the pot in and turn the pot to 375°F.
• Meanwhile, add the raw meats and frozen items to individual bowls.
• When the oil is hot, begin cooking food in the pot. Allow each guest (up to 5) to add one raw item to their colored fondue fork directly from the serving bowl and set in the pot. (Do not have guests transfer raw meat to their dinner plates.)
• Each dinner guest can keep an eye on their own food as it cooks, paying attention to what color fondue forks they have. Don't allow too many foods in the oil at one time or it will bring the temperature of the oil down too low. When their food is done, carefully place it on their dinner plate and enjoy with dips or sauces.

AUTHENTIC ORIGINAL TRADITIONAL SWISS FONDUE (OLD WORLD RECIPE)

Steps:

• The optimal choice of pots is a steel or cast iron medium sized pot (2 quart) with an enameled interior.
• In a medium sized bowl, combine the three cheeses and toss with the flour.
• Rub the inside of the fondue pot with the garlic halves.
• Add the wine and heat over medium heat until hot, but not boiling.
• Stir in lemon juice and kirsch.
• Add a handful of cheese at a time to the wine mixture, stirring constantly and not adding more cheese until the previous has melted, bubbling gently and has the appearance of a light creamy sauce season with pepper and nutmeg.
• Remove the pot from the heat and place over an alcohol safety burner on the table.
• Adjust the burner flame so the fondue continues to bubble gently.
• Serve with plenty of crusty bread cubes.

BONAPARTE FONDUE

Steps:

• In a bowl, pour the boiling water over the dried mushrooms, cover and let sit for 30 minutes. Drain, reserving the soaking liquid. Chop the rehydrated mushrooms, return to the soaking liquid and set aside.
• In a saucepan, melt the butter and sweat the shallots for 5 minutes. Add the chopped mushrooms and their liquid. Bring to a boil and reduce until the liquid is almost completely evaporated. Add the cider and bring to a boil.
• In a bowl, toss the Bonaparte cheese with the corn starch. Add one third of the cheese to the saucepan and stir gently with a wooden spoon. Repeat with the remaining cheese, one-third at a time.
• Heat the mixture to just below boiling. It should be nice and smooth but not too thick. Remove from heat and stir in the minced garlic. Add a little sugar, if desired, to neutralize any bitterness.
• Serve in a fondue pot with the bread and vegetables for dipping.

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)

CLASSIC CHEESE FONDUE

Steps:

• Pour the wine and lemon juice into a heavy-based pan over a medium-low heat and warm until steaming. Add all of the cheese, a handful at a time, whisking between each addition until all the cheese has been added. Continue to stir for 4-5 mins until everything is fully melted, smooth and creamy. Mix the cornflour with the kirsch in a small bowl, then stir this into the cheese mixture. Continue to cook over a low heat for a minute more.
• Rub the garlic on the inside of the fondue pot, if you like, then carefully pour the cheese mixture into the pot and immediately place it over the flame. (If you don't have a fondue set, add the garlic along with the wine in step one, then remove and discard it before you add the kirsch mixture.) Serve immediately with crusty bread, boiled new potatoes, vegetable crudités or cornichons for dunking, if you like. You can place the fondue back over a low heat if you need to reheat it after serving.