Do you like to invite a small group of friends to visit or surprise family members at gala dinners? Someone prepares exotic dishes for such events, someone orders special sauces and spices to amaze guests with culinary delights, and someone can simply surprise loved ones with the help of fondue. With the help of such a device, guests will not only taste a delicious dish, but will also be able to participate in the cooking process, because the whole process will take place before their eyes. In addition, from the choice of products, it can be used both for the main dish, and for an appetizer or dessert. It all depends on your imagination and desire.
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In our country, dishes prepared with the help of a fondue maker are gaining more and more popularity. But, probably, no one thought about how and where it came from. And Switzerland is considered the birthplace of fondue, fondue is one of the national dishes of this country.
In Switzerland, the preparation of cheese and bread always begins in the summer. And by winter, these products become already stale and hard. And it's just not possible to use them. And if you believe the legend, then the Swiss shepherds, who had only wine, cheese and bread from the food, melted these products and dipped bread in them. And so this dish was born, which at first had no name. But after some time, the dish was given the name by the French. Indeed, in translation from French, the word "Fonde" means to melt. Although poor shepherds became the founders of fondue, over time it became widespread and was often prepared by aristocrats. But expensive varieties of cheese and wine have already been used here.
Fondue gained great popularity in the middle of the 20th century. At this time, there were many recipes that differed from the classic version with cheese and wine. But the principle of preparation remained the same.
If earlier fondue was prepared only from several varieties of cheese and wine, now there are several options for this delicacy.
So, the classic version is made from two types of cheese, usually Gouda and Gruyère. To do this, grate them on a coarse grater and mix. Grate the fondue maker with chopped garlic, add cheese, wine and a little corn starch, you can also add lemon juice if you wish. Also, to diversify the taste of cheese, you can add various spices, such as cumin. You can dip slices of bread or baguette into this mixture.But pastries should not be fresh, as they may not hold on to a skewer or fork. This dish is served with tea, grape juice or the same wine that was added to the cheese.
Another method of making fondue is based on frying pieces of meat, poultry or fish in oil. To do this, the oil is first heated in a separate bowl, and then poured into a fondue pot and served at the table. And the guests will string small pieces of meat on skewers and fry in oil. For such a delicacy, you should prepare your favorite sauce in advance, in which you can dip a piece after frying. This type of fondue is best served with wine or beer.
There is also a Chinese version of fondue called chrysanthemum. This variation involves dipping rice noodles, seafood, or vegetables into a simmering broth. To prepare the broth, chicken or seafood is used, ginger, anise, and at the end a little more soy sauce are also added. This dish is served with green tea.
Well, do not forget about the American invention - fondue with melted chocolate. To prepare it, melt dark chocolate with cream and a small amount of brandy. Pieces of any fruit, small muffins or pieces of biscuit are dipped into this mixture. You can serve this dessert with coffee, tea, liquor or wine.
This unit for melting products is a small pot, which differs in the material of manufacture, volume and design. First of all, before buying, you should decide on the dish that you plan to cook.If you decide to please yourself and loved ones with a classic version of a treat or desserts with chocolate, then it is quite possible to get by with a ceramic or clay pot. Because chocolate and cheese don't have high melting points, this type of cauldron will handle that with ease. Pots made of cast iron or steel are suitable for making meat and fish fondues, as well as for cheese and chocolate. And such options are considered universal. But it is worth noting that their cost significantly exceeds the price of the ceramic version. Also, if the choice is between cast iron and steel, then it must be taken into account that the cast iron unit has a porous structure and will absorb the smell of the dishes that you will cook. For example, if you prepare a fish delicacy and then decide to melt the chocolate, then the dessert can turn out with the smell and taste of fish. Also, such a fondue will cool longer.
Pay attention to the heating method. Ceramic appliances can be heated with a small candle. It will create the necessary temperature, which will be enough to melt chocolate or cheese. For steel devices, different burners are used, since the candle will not be able to maintain the temperature of the boiling oil. There are also devices that can maintain the temperature from electricity. This option is considered the safest and most convenient, but it will not create a cozy atmosphere that a real fire can create.
Now let's talk about the volume of the pot. If you plan to cook only the chocolate version of the treat, then you can get by with a small amount. In general, standard versions of fondue makers have a volume of about 1.5 liters and are designed for 6 people. Less common are options for 8, 4 or 2 persons.
Pay attention to the skewers that come with the fondue maker. The length of the handles should not be too short, otherwise you can easily get burned. Just be careful about the material of the handle. It should not heat up when dipped for a long time, this quality will be useful when preparing meat fondue. It is desirable that each skewer has a different color, then there will be no confusion at the table.
Such a stylish fondue maker will easily fit into any interior, and its small size will allow you to place the product in any kitchen.
"Minor" is a small bowl made of ceramics. It is durable and heat resistant. The volume of the bowl is 350 ml. The bowl is mounted on a screw leg, under which there is a burner. For safety, the entire set is mounted on a special round tray that comes with the set. The set also includes 4 forks made of chrome-plated steel, which have comfortable handles.
"Minor" is available in three colors: brown, orange and green. The height of the product is 15 cm, and the weight is about 700 grams. Dishwasher safe.
The average cost is 1600 rubles.
This model of fondue maker allows you to cook any fondue, as it is made of stainless steel and is able to withstand high temperatures.
The kettle of this model is a small pot with a volume of 2 liters, which has handles for easy transfer.The saucepan is installed on a special stand, under which the burner is located. A special ring with slots for skewers is also put on the bowler hat. The kit comes with 6 forks-skewers, the length of which is 24 cm. This length will allow you to calmly fry the meat and not burn yourself with hot oil.
The product has a mirror finish. The height of the stand is 12 cm, and the walls of the pot are 10.5 cm. The diameter of the pot is 14.5 cm. The weight of the product with packaging is about 1 kg.
The average cost is 3000 rubles.
This fondue set is a great purchase. The kettle is made of cast iron and has a ceramic coating. This ensures easy maintenance of the product. You also don’t have to worry that something will stick to the walls during the cooking process, the non-stick coating will prevent this. Since the main material of the saucepan is cast iron, it will be able to maintain the required temperature for a long time, and the molten product will not solidify.
The set comes with 6 skewers with wooden handles. The tip of each pen has its own color, which will allow you not to confuse your device with someone else's. A convenient holder on wide legs is installed under the pot, the distance between the legs makes it easy to get a candle, which will be in a convenient fixture with a handle. It is also worth noting that the whole structure is mounted on a wooden round holder, which ensures the safety of using the fondue pot and its stability.
This model is available in four colors: white, black, gray and brown. The diameter of the bowl is 17 cm, and the height of the walls is 6.5 cm. The weight of the product is about 5 kg, which can complicate transportation a little.
The average cost is 5300 rubles.
Prefer things with an unusual design? Then the designer fondue set from Artesa is just what you need.
The bowl is made of stainless steel, has a vintage finish and a copper-colored finish. This option is suitable for making cheese or chocolate fondue, as well as for the meat version of the dish. The pot is mounted on a rack, where there is a special hole for installing the burner. Also included are 6 skewers-forks, with comfortable non-heating handles.
The product is available in two colors: black and copper. The size is 32 * 32 * 22 cm, and the weight is about 400 grams.
The average cost is 4000 rubles.
This fondue maker from the German company BEKA is part of the Table Tops series. This series is designed for cooking products directly on the table.
The Cortina model is made of stainless steel, which allows you to cook various dishes, the basis of which will be cheeses, wine, butter, chocolate or broth. The bowl has a special lid with holes for skewers. This design ensures safety during use, as it reliably protects against splashes during cooking. The bowl has handles, which are made of heat-resistant material and create additional convenience when carrying the product. It is also worth noting that the saucepan can be used separately on any stove, except for induction. The bowl is mounted on special legs, which are also made of steel. A burner is installed on the bottom of the legs. And the whole structure is placed on a special tray that comes with the kit. The set also includes 6 forks, which have comfortable handles and color coding.
The volume of the bowl is 1.5 liters. The weight of the product is about 1 kg.
The average cost is 4500 rubles.
"Belledone" is a fondue maker from the German company "BEKA", which is also included in the "Table Tops" line.
A distinctive feature of this model is that, unlike other options, the fondue bowl is made in the form of a deep saucepan, on the one hand it has a long handle, and opposite it is small. This makes it easier to carry the product with hot product inside.
"Belledone" is made of cast iron, and has an enamel coating inside.The material of this product is optimal for making chocolate fondue and various cheeses. The stand for the container is also made of cast iron. Heating of this model comes from a burner, which is also included in the kit. It is worth noting the skewers, which have the optimal length and wooden handles, and they can also be easily distinguished by the color of the tip.
The bowl is made in red, the color of the stand is black. The diameter of the container is 20 cm. The weight of the product is 2.9 kg.
The average cost is 8000 rubles.
Sweet lovers will appreciate such a product from the famous Fissman brand. With this ceramic fondue maker, you can easily prepare a chocolate dessert that everyone will be delighted with. The design of this model is made in warm colors, which in winter will give comfort, and in summer will cheer you up.
The bowl is placed on a convenient support from the chromeplated steel. The stand has a special compartment for a candle. The set comes with 4 forks that have plastic handles to match the bowl. The weight of the product is 600 grams.
The average cost is 1100 rubles.
By purchasing a fondue maker, you will add new dishes to your menu, and they can be both main and desserts.Even if you plan to cook only chocolate fondue before buying, it is still better to give preference to a universal model made of steel. What if after a while you decide to cook a meat version of the dish, and your product will not be suitable for this. But whichever option you choose, the main thing is that cooking brings you joy and pleasure.