Cooking
Mozzarella Surprise: Marinara Fondue
Matt & I were told, some years ago, that we were, in fact, people who looked like they'd own three fondue pots...
I think it's ridiculous, how fondue has fallen out of favor. That everyone thinks it the same way they do avocado green appliances & gas shortages.
But fondue is fun. And it is truly is the ultimate party food.
It brings everyone together. It instigates a certain amount of laughter, as melting cheese strings out for yards, connecting that hot pot to a fork-full of dip-able food. You eat, you laugh, you talk. Good times.
Welsh Rarebit
So, OK; we're already pro-fondue in our house. And yes, I have fondue cookbooks. But when I got my hands on a copy of Peggy Fallon's Great Party Fondues, it was truly an 'oooh'-worthy moment. Page after page decorated with those brilliant sticky tabs. Recipes that, while certainly enticing, were accessible & uncomplicated.
Dippers for sweet fondue
I made several fondues. Because I was dealing with molten cheeses and such, I opted not to photograph them in my 'studio' (box on sideboard, with attached light), and risk poor picture quality from high ceilings and low light in the dining room.
The food may not look as gorgeous as it really was, but trust me: it was good. Seriously.
I think my favorite was the Mozzarella Surprise Marinara Fondue.
Blindingly simple. Onion, tomato paste & garlic, cooked. Add crushed tomatoes, with juices, red wine, salt, red pepper flakes, and sugar, boil/reduce/simmer till thickened. Add basil & parsley.
Cubes of mozzarella go into the fondue pot, pour the sauce over, and keep warm.
Each time you dip in your bread or pasta (or whatever you like), you get this tomato-y cheese lovefest. We absolutely cleaned the pot. Amazing stuff.
Minted Milk Chocolate Fondue
- Chocolate Fondue Recipe
Lee's biggest complaint regarding my cooking is that I "never repeat", meaning I never make the same thing twice. Which isn't true of course, but I know what he means. I'm always looking to improve upon recipes and try something new. So for...
- New Year's Eve Menu
Wanna save about $100, $200 or maybe more? Stay home for New Year's eve. And Valentine's day. This also works for birthdays and anniversaries. I'm not suggesting you be a party pooper, just that you do your celebrating at home. Turn what...
- Retro Preview: Fondue
Blog Party Retro Party is tomorrow, so we decided to go a bit 'retro' in preparation. What's more retro than fondue? Yummy melty cheese, Tuscan bread, new potatoes, cauliflower, and baby carrots. When Matt & I realized we were the proud...
- Is It Spring? Winter? Make Up Your %#(&^$ Mind
(I apologize in advance; I'm a little cranky right now and it might not be the best time to sit in front of a keyboard...) How's a girl supposed to plan the week's menu, when one day it's almost seventy degrees, and two days later, it...
- Do You Fondue?
Another out-of-season dinner; fondue! I tasted fondue for the very first time not long after I moved to California. Matt, who continues to open my eyes to so many wonderful cuisines, took me to a fabulous little place in Berkeley, Fondue Fred. The atmosphere...
Cooking
Cookbook Review: Great Party Fondues
Mozzarella Surprise: Marinara Fondue
Matt & I were told, some years ago, that we were, in fact, people who looked like they'd own three fondue pots...
I think it's ridiculous, how fondue has fallen out of favor. That everyone thinks it the same way they do avocado green appliances & gas shortages.
But fondue is fun. And it is truly is the ultimate party food.
It brings everyone together. It instigates a certain amount of laughter, as melting cheese strings out for yards, connecting that hot pot to a fork-full of dip-able food. You eat, you laugh, you talk. Good times.
Welsh Rarebit
So, OK; we're already pro-fondue in our house. And yes, I have fondue cookbooks. But when I got my hands on a copy of Peggy Fallon's Great Party Fondues, it was truly an 'oooh'-worthy moment. Page after page decorated with those brilliant sticky tabs. Recipes that, while certainly enticing, were accessible & uncomplicated.
Dippers for sweet fondue
I made several fondues. Because I was dealing with molten cheeses and such, I opted not to photograph them in my 'studio' (box on sideboard, with attached light), and risk poor picture quality from high ceilings and low light in the dining room.
The food may not look as gorgeous as it really was, but trust me: it was good. Seriously.
I think my favorite was the Mozzarella Surprise Marinara Fondue.
Blindingly simple. Onion, tomato paste & garlic, cooked. Add crushed tomatoes, with juices, red wine, salt, red pepper flakes, and sugar, boil/reduce/simmer till thickened. Add basil & parsley.
Cubes of mozzarella go into the fondue pot, pour the sauce over, and keep warm.
Each time you dip in your bread or pasta (or whatever you like), you get this tomato-y cheese lovefest. We absolutely cleaned the pot. Amazing stuff.
Minted Milk Chocolate Fondue
The majority of the recipes have been marked; in fact it's only the meat-heavy ones we ignored, as 2/3 of the household happens to be vegetarian!
But whatever you like to dip, there's a fondue for you. The recipes are quality, the results are gorgeous and filling.
And hey...the holidays are almost here: what better way to feed a crowd?
This December, Blog Party is celebrating your holiday traditions!
Join us for the food & fun; RSVP no later than THIS Thursday, 18 December. Hope to see you there!
- Chocolate Fondue Recipe
Lee's biggest complaint regarding my cooking is that I "never repeat", meaning I never make the same thing twice. Which isn't true of course, but I know what he means. I'm always looking to improve upon recipes and try something new. So for...
- New Year's Eve Menu
Wanna save about $100, $200 or maybe more? Stay home for New Year's eve. And Valentine's day. This also works for birthdays and anniversaries. I'm not suggesting you be a party pooper, just that you do your celebrating at home. Turn what...
- Retro Preview: Fondue
Blog Party Retro Party is tomorrow, so we decided to go a bit 'retro' in preparation. What's more retro than fondue? Yummy melty cheese, Tuscan bread, new potatoes, cauliflower, and baby carrots. When Matt & I realized we were the proud...
- Is It Spring? Winter? Make Up Your %#(&^$ Mind
(I apologize in advance; I'm a little cranky right now and it might not be the best time to sit in front of a keyboard...) How's a girl supposed to plan the week's menu, when one day it's almost seventy degrees, and two days later, it...
- Do You Fondue?
Another out-of-season dinner; fondue! I tasted fondue for the very first time not long after I moved to California. Matt, who continues to open my eyes to so many wonderful cuisines, took me to a fabulous little place in Berkeley, Fondue Fred. The atmosphere...