Welcome to the delicious world of fondue. In this article, prepare to be informed, entertained and hungry as we explore the basics of this must-try culinary experience. Armed with your fondue fork, dive in headfirst and learn how to entertain in the time-honoured art of fondue!
What Is Fondue and Why Is It Great?
Fondue is like an all-you-can-eat buffet in a fondue pot! Imagine yourself surrounded by loved ones, plunging chunks of meat, seafood and vegetables into a tasty broth. Then, a few minutes later, you pull them out deliciously cooked and dip them in a scrumptious sauce before enjoying. YOU are the chef of this culinary adventure, where you choose what you eat with every single bite. It’s friendly, it’s fun, it’s …. totally brilliant!
How to prepare a fondue party like a pro (or almost)?
Now that you’re convinced of fondue’s incredible potential, it’s time to start cooking! Here are a few simple steps to prepare a memorable fondue evening:
- Choose your broth: Pick one of our delicious Canton broth flavours. One container is equivalent to a full fondue pot for 4 to 6 people.
- Prepare your ingredients: Cut up chunks of meat, fish, tofu and vegetables, ready to plunge into the broth. Allow around 250 g of protein, 200 g of vegetables and 50 to 75 g of sauces per person. While most foods are suitable for fondue, some stand out from the crowd. On the protein side, enthusiasts often opt for beef, chicken or pork. Shrimp stands out among seafood choices, while broccoli, peppers, mushrooms and cauliflower are the star vegetables.
- Don’t forget the sauces: To accompany these proteins and vegetables while adding a touch of creativity, fondue lovers generally serve at least three flavours of sauces to satisfy everyone’s tastes. Canton offers a vast selection of 12 delicious flavours. From the classic taste of The Original Sauce to the creamy inspiration of Bourguignonne Sauce, take your taste buds on a journey and create your own star trio!
- Set up your fondue station: Place your burner in the centre of the table, arrange your bowls of ingredients and get ready to dive in! But way a minute! First of all, the fondue burner needs to be lit to keep the broth hot enough to cook the food. Some are electric, while others are more traditional and use a flame.
- Prepare the table: Fondue has its own set of utensils. First, provide 2 fondue forks for each guest. These are forks with 2 prongs at the end to prick the food. Compartmentalized plates make the experience even more pleasant. Each compartment allows guests to place raw proteins in one place without touching cooked proteins, sauces or vegetables. Fondue can also be enjoyed on an everyday plate. You can find this type of tableware online or at specialized retailers.
- Taste and enjoy: Dip, cook, turn, enjoy! Fondue is a sensory experience in its own right, so let yourself be carried away by the flavours.
Tips to avoid any faux pas
Finally, here are a few tips to help you enjoy a delicious fondue in good company:
- Avoid overcooking your ingredients: We know it’s tempting, but resist the urge to leave your food in the broth too long. While the conversation is pleasant, your table companions need to stay alert and remove their chopsticks from the fondue pot to avoid overcooking.
- Watch out for flying forks: After a few glasses of wine, one should stay alert, because there’s nothing more dangerous than a flying fork in the middle of a fondue dinner!
- Plan for emergency sauces: Make sure you have more than one variety of sauce to suit everyone’s tastes. We recommend building up an inventory of back-up sauces (they keep for several months), because a fondue without sauces is like a day without laughter: sad and incomplete!
Now you’re ready to conquer the fondue world with style and a sense of humour! So bring your family and friends together, get your fondue forks ready and dive into a culinary adventure as warm as it is delicious. With Canton, every bite is an experience to be savoured and shared in the spirit of laughter and flavour.
