Fontina Fondue Recipes

QUICK FONTINA CHEESE FONDUE

Steps:

• Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat until a pinch of flour sprinkled into the oil will just begin to bubble. Whisk in flour to form a thick paste the consistency of cake frosting. Continue cooking, whisking constantly, until flour has turned golden and begins to smell like toast, about 20 minutes. Whisk in wine, mustard, and cayenne.
• Mix heavy whipping cream into the flour-butter mixture; cook and stir until thickened, about 5 minutes. Add fontina cheese; stir until melted, about 1 minute. Transfer to a fondue pot.

BAKED FONTINA

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler and position the oven rack 5 inches from the heat.
• Distribute the cubes of Fontina evenly in a 12-inch cast-iron pan. Drizzle on the olive oil. Combine the garlic, thyme, and rosemary and sprinkle it over the cheese and olive oil. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper and place the pan under the broiler for 6 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbling and starts to brown.
• Serve the baked Fontina family-style-right out of the oven in the cast-iron pan with crusty chunks of bread for everyone to dip.

FONTINA FONDUE

Steps:

• In a fondue pot over medium heat, heat the wine and garlic until bubbles form. Toss the cheeses lightly with the cornstarch until evenly coated. Gradually add the cheeses to the pot, a handful at a time, stirring each time until the cheeses are completely melted. Serve with bowls of the vegetables and bread sticks to dip into the sauce. Variation: Tuscan Cheese Pesto Fondue; Prepare the Tuscan Cheese Fondue as directed above, then stir in 2 to 3 tablespoons Basil Pesto or a commercial pesto just before serving.

ITALIAN CHEESE FONDUE

Steps:

• Toss the Fontina and Gruyere cheese with the cornstarch in a medium bowl to coat. Saute the pancetta in a heavy large saucepan over medium heat until crisp and golden, about 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the pancetta to a plate. Pour off any excess oil. Pour the wine into the same saucepan and bring to a boil. Decrease the heat to medium. Whisk 1 handful of the cheese mixture into the wine until it is almost melted. Repeat with the remaining cheese mixture in about 4 more batches. Continue whisking until the cheese is completely melted and the fondue bubbles, about 1 minute. Stir in all but 2 tablespoons of the pancetta. Season the fondue with pepper, to taste.
• Transfer the cheese mixture to a fondue pot. Sprinkle with the remaining pancetta and chives. Set the pot over a candle or a canned heat burner. Serve with focaccia and vegetables.