For those of you that read my blog, you'll notice that every now and then it's not just about fashion. I enjoy throwing in a few stories about great places to dine,where to get a tasty meal along with a glass of wine for under 25.00,decorating tips, where to buy fabulous treats, etc. Such is the case with this post.
I recently moved,and while going through all of my kitchen appliances I found a very small crock pot,just right for making nachos,and dare I say it? yep. warming fondue. so, I began thinking of all the great stuff I could create.
I have a bit of a sweet tooth,and love baking, so I began to imagine chocolate orange, cheddar cheese with white wine ,and white chocolate raspberry fondue,along with dippers,like marshmallows,strawberries,apples,little bits of pound cake....
Now I know this all has been done before,but there is something amazing that happens when you are in the kitchen mixing and stirring and sampling your own little bits of heaven..the smell of rich dark chocolate melting,adding raspberry liqueur and creating the perfect blend too good to wait until you slice those apples.
I began searching stores looking for the most delightful dipping forks,and fondue sets,along with some recipes that you can try at home. Salute!
My quest began at Crate&Barrel in Bellevue, this is one of my favorite shops,and I have never been disappointed by the selection. I quickly found a great little set that includes serving dishes,dipping forks,and a serving tray with a wooden base.this is perfect and for just the right price. The set is sold separately. Tapas Fondue Pot $14.95 - Fondue Server $19.95 http://www.crateandbarrel.com/
If you don't mind shopping online Bed, Bath And Beyond has an amazing selection ranging from $14.99 and up. My visit to the store was a bit unproductive. I was able to find some dipping forks and one set for $19.99,but a stop at the website provided a much more positive result.http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/
Now for the goodies- Most stores and restaurants already carry do it yourself sauces made for fondue. The Melting Pot actually sells it own chocolate bars to melt in a double boiler ,also most gourmet cooking stores also carry dipping sauces and forks. A great place to visit is Le Gourmet Chef located in North Bend (Factory Outlet),also try C'est La Vie (The Landing in Renton).
Godiva Chocolate Fondu
Yield: 4 servings
Difficulty: *Easy
Preparation: 15 minutes, plus cooling time
Special Equipment: Fondue pot
4 Godiva Solid Dark Chocolate Bars
½ cup of Heavy Cream
½ teaspoon of vanilla
Heat heavy cream in a saucepan over low-medium heat until hot but not simmering.
Add chocolate and stir until melted.
Add vanilla and stir.
Transfer to fondue pot and serve with fresh fruit and pound cake.
Substitute vanilla with orange liqueur, kirsh or framboise for extra flare. Or use White Chocolate instead. (Godiva.Com)
Basic Cheese Fondue
Ingredients
2 cups milk
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons ground dry mustard
1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
6 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
In a medium saucepan over low heat, mix together milk, Worcestershire sauce, ground dry mustard, garlic and flour. Heat until almost boiling. Gradually stir in Cheddar cheese. Continue heating until all the cheese has melted. Keep the mixture warm and melted in a fondue dish. (All Recipies.Com)
These recipies will make your friends and family " Fond" of you!
Until next time~
Hugs and Hearts
BellevueGrl
No comments:
Post a Comment