Fondue Night (For 6 people)

If you don't have a fondue pot, I highly recommend investing in one--definitely worth it. These fondue recipes are delicious and a lot cheaper than dinner at Melting Pot. I experimented with quite a few recipes to invent what I believe to be the best ones, and they're always a big hit. The cheeses are pretty expensive, so we usually limit the full 3 courses to special occasions.

Cheese Fondue

These cheeses are what my mom calls "stinky cheese" because they're very potent.  I happen to be a cheese person, so they're perfect for me, but if you'd prefer something a little milder try substituting one or two of the cheeses for Gouda or another mild cheese (but for heaven's sake, not American cheese!).

Ingredients:

• 1 lb.  Gruyere cheese, shredded
  
• 1 lb. Emmanteller cheese, shredded
  
• 1 lb. Edam cheese, shredded
  
• 2 tbsp. corn starch
  
• 1 cup white wine
  
• 2 tbsp cherry brandy (optional)
  
• 1 large garlic clove
  
• 1-2 splashes lemon juice 

For Dipping:

• Granny Smith apples, cut into small cubes
  
• Sourdough French bread, cut into small cubes 
• Fresh broccoli and carrots
  

Cut the garlic clove in half and rub along the inside of the fondue pot.  Mix the 3 cheeses together with the corn starch.  Boil the cup of white wine and cherry brandy in the fondue pot with the garlic clove.  Add the lemon juice.  Set the fondue pot to low to medium heat.  Slowly stir in the cheese mixture a little at a time until it is fully melted and has a smooth consistency.  Tell your guests the cheese is expensive so they better freaking like it (j/k. but seriously...).

The Main Event

(This isn't really a recipe, just some basic directions in case you're new to this whole thing and a way to make putting together a grocery list a little easier)

Ingredients:

• A lot of vegetable oil

For dipping:

• 2 lbs. steak/beef tips, marinated (I recommend a teriyaki marinade)
  
• 1 lb. chicken, marinated
  
• Small red potatoes, cut into quarters
  
• Any other requested vegetables

Heat the vegetable oil in the pot.  If it starts to spit at you, turn it down.  The potatoes take forever, so make sure you get those in first.

Chocolate Fondue

Ingredients:

• 1 regular size bag of semisweet or dark chocolate chips
  
• 1 cup whipping cream
  
• 1-2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
  
• Triple Sec, or another citrus liquor*

For Dipping:

• Strawberries
  
• Pound cake, cut into 1” cubes
  
• Marshmallows, pretzels, or whatever else you want covered in chocolate (be creative)

Melt the chocolate in the fondue pot on low heat.  Stir in the other ingredients a little at a time.  Devour.

*Note: Sorry, but I’ve never really measured this out, so you’ll just have to add it a little at a time until it tastes good.  A version of this with Bailey’s or another cream-liquor would probably be delish.