April 11th - Cheese Fondue Day

This warm cheese dish originated in Switzerland and more specifically in the Canton of Neuchatel. The dish consists of at least two varieties of cheeses that are melted with wine and a bit of flour and served communally out of pot called a "caquelon". Long forks are used by each guest to spear a cube of bread then the bread is dipped into the cheese and eaten.Fondue dates back to the 18th century when both cheese and wine were important industries in Switzerland. The simple to prepare meal utilized ingredients that were found in most average homes. French gastronome Brillat-Savarin mentioned fondue in his 19th century writings, but fondue really hit its heyday in 1952, when chef Konrad Egli of New York's Chalet Swiss Restaurant introduced a fondue method of cooking meat cubes in hot oil. Chocolate fondue followed in 1964.

My favourite Fondue "tradition" is that anyone who accidentally drops their bread/meat/veggie into the pot, then has to kiss the person directly across the fondue pot from them!

Wisconsin Cheese & Beer Fondue
1 lb. sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 tbsp. flour
1 1/2 tsp. dry mustard
Dash cayenne (or add a dash of hot sauce to the melted mixture)
3/4 c. beer
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
PREPARATION:In bowl, combine cheese, flour, mustard and ground cayenne; mix to blend well. In fondue pot, combine beer and Worcestershire sauce. Set temperature at 375° and heat until bubbling. Gradually add cheese mixture and stir constantly until cheese melts and mixture is smooth, about 5 minutes. Reduce temperature to 200° and serve with crusty bread cubes or other dippers.