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Fondue Ideas for Valentine’s Day

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January 24, 2014

Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to splurge on a decadent chocolate fondue. When I was younger, I remember my parents having parties and serving fondue.  I have vivid memories of an avocado green fondue pot sitting on top of a small can of sterno.  There were long-handled forks with avocado green handles as well.  My parents used to bring out their fondue pot whenever they were entertaining.  I can remember my sister and I were allowed to have one or two pieces of bread or meet dipped into the hot fondue as a special treat.

Fondue Ideas for Valentine’s Day

Fondue originated in Switzerland as a way to use up hardened pieces of cheese.  The word fondue comes from the French verb fondre which means to melt.  The cheese was melted and bits of meat, bread and vegetables were dipped into it to enjoy as a meal.  Today, fondue is so much more than melted cheese. Fondues can be melted chocolate, melted cheese, hot oil or even melted butterscotch or caramel. You can dip pieces of meat and bread but also fresh fruits, vegetables, marshmallow or even pieces of angel food cake. I tend to keep it healthy with fresh fruit.

If you have a fondue pot, you can certainly use that for your fondue.  However, you don’t absolutely have to have one.  You can simply melt the ingredients in the microwave.  An easy chocolate sauce for fondue can be made by melting three tablespoons of dark chocolate, one tablespoon of cold coffee, a few drops of pure vanilla extract and two tablespoons of cream. Melt for about one to two minutes, pausing to stir every twenty seconds or so. Do not over cook. You want the chocolate sauce to be creamy. My favorite fruits to dip into a chocolate fondue are bananas, strawberries, pineapple, dried apricots and grapes.

To hold the fruit, you can use forks, popsicle sticks, bamboo skewers, or even chop sticks. If you don’t have a microwave, you can melt the chocolate sauce in a double boiler over very slow heat. Experiment with dark, milk or white chocolate in your fondue for a different taste.  I enjoy using dark chocolate with orange zest or dried cranberries for a bit of a different taste.

Surprise your sweetie with these fondue ideas for Valentine’s Day.  Create a whole meal by starting with meat and bread dipped in cheese fondue and then end with a delicious dessert of fresh fruits dipped in dark chocolate fondue.

Have you ever tried fondue? What is your favorite type?

photo credit: islandjoe via photopin cc

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