Try This Fondue Party Idea With Quick And Easy Fondue Recipes

Looking for a party idea? Try fondue for something new. I love throwing parties and having friends over for a fondue party hits the top of my list.  There is a reason that The Melting Pot restaurants have become so popular across the nation.  It is a unique dining choice that is fun and invites conversation.

Dinner parties are always fun but sometimes a formal dinner can be too uptight and stressful. The casualness of gathering around a fondue pot is both intimate and somewhat of an ice breaker. Everyone gets to take part, taking some of the stress off the hosts. This also gives your guests something to do which tends to put everyone at ease.

Fondue cooking takes just a little prep work before guests arrive, which is a better time to be working than when everyone is over. You want to be spending your time socializing as well.

My favorite fondues to do are either a swiss cheese fondue, which I will include the recipe for, or the tempura or seafood which use hot oil. Dessert fondues are also fun to do. If you have more than one fondue pot, you may want to do an assortment!

A good number of people to invite over for a fondue party is ideally between six and eight. You want to all be able to sit around one table with the fondue pot in the middle. A round table works perfectly. You will need to have access to an electric outlet to plug your pot in. Try to keep the cord out of the way as best as possible. Taping the cord to the underside of the table and to the floor keeps it in place. You may need to use an extension cord so it can lay flat on the floor.

Protect your table with a pad and tablecloth in case of drips. You will definitely want a trivet or hot pad underneath your fondue pot.

 This is one of my favorite fondues to do!  Maybe it is because I love cheese and bread, especially paired with wine.  Of course bread doesn't have to be your only dipper.  This is also very good with fruit like pears. 

Set out a basket of cubed Italian or French bread, a bowl of grapes and sliced pears, a tray of broccoli and cauliflower, and a plate of cubed ham and you have yourself a full meal.  And, don't forget the wine!

Here is the recipe for the Swiss cheese sauce:

• 1 clove garlic, halved
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 pound Gruyere cheese, grated
• 3 T flour
• 3/4 cup dry white wine
• 1/8 t. pepper
• 1/8 t. nutmeg

Rub inside of fondue pot with garlic.  Add milk to pot.  Turn temperature dial to 200 degrees.  Bring milk to simmer.  Combine cheese and flour; stir into milk.  Stir constantly until cheese is melted.  Slowly stir in wine.  Turn temperature dial to Warm.  Sprinkle with pepper and nutmeg.

 Tempura is a batter to put on meat and vegetables and then cook in an oil fondue.  This is another fun party idea.  Some suggestions for dipping are cooked cubed chicken, shelled and deveined shrimp, sliced zucchini or yellow squash, cauliflower, broccoli, shelled lobster, scallops, sliced carrots, mushrooms and cocktail onions.

The recipe for the batter can be made up ahead of time:

• 3/4 cup flour
• 1/2 t. salt
• 1/2 t. pepper
• 1 T vegetable oil
• 1 egg, separated
• 1/2 cup flat beer

Combine flour, salt and pepper in mixing bowl.  Add 1 tablespoon oil, egg yolk and beer; stir until smooth.  Beat egg white until stiff peaks form; gently fold into batter.

Pour 3 1/2 cups oil into fondue pot.  Place fork holder on pot.  Turn temperature dial to 375 degrees and heat until light goes out.  For serving, spear a piece of meat or vegetable, dip into batter and gently place in hot oil.  Cook until golden brown and crispy about 3 to 4 minutes.  Serve with Ranch dressing, honey mustard, soy sauce, hot mustard, sweet and sour sauce or barbecue sauce.

 If you just want to have a dessert party or you have more than one fondue pot, a chocolate fondue is a sure hit.  I can't think of anyone that doesn't like to dip something into chocolate.  Whether it be fruit, pretzels, pound cake, or fingers, there is something for everyone!

The chocolate recipe is simple and delicious:

• 12 1-ounce milk chocolate candy bars, broken
• 1/4 cup milk
• 10 large marshmallows
• 1/4 cup whipping cream

Place chocolate bars and milk in fondue pot.  Turn temperature dial to Warm.  Stirring constantly, add marshmallows until melted.  Gradually add whipping cream.

 If you need a fondue pot or would like to add a second one, this model by Cuisinart is exceptional.  It has an adjustable temperature control and is good for any type of fondue.  The brushed stainless steel finish is especially attractive and is dishwasher safe.