Despite them being up since the week after Christmas, I have purposely avoided the Valentine’s Day displays at Wal-Mart and Target. Now that we are only a couple weeks away from Love Day, I figure I’d better get motivated to spread some Valentine’s Day cheer. (Ho, ho, no!)
While I am still in the planning stages for this year’s festivities, I did find recipes from a Valentine’s Day fondue party I helped host a few years ago. A fondue maker I won at an office Christmas party inspired the party. It broke shortly after the party, but not before we were able to double dip into these classic Cheese and Chocolate Fondue recipes.
CLASSIC CHEESE FONDUE
Ingredients:
1 pound grated Gruyere cheese, (rind removed)
1 clove garlic
1 1/2 cups dry white wine
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
3 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
Dash hot pepper sauce
Dash nutmeg
Directions:
Rub the inside of a medium saucepan with the peeled garlic clove. Throw away the garlic. Add the wine and lemon juice and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
In a medium bowl, mix the cheese with the cornstarch and toss. Stir the cheese mixture into the wine one small handful at a time. Make sure each handful is completely melted before adding another. Season with the nutmeg and pepper.
Transfer to a cheese fondue pot. Serve right away with crusty bread, sliced apples or raw mushrooms or broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, or asparagus.
APPLE CHEESE FONDUE
Ingredients:
1 sharp cheddar cheese ball, 12 ounces
1/2 cup apple juice
Directions:
Remove the cheese ball from the package and cut into 1-inch cubes.
In a heavy saucepan, heat the juice until it simmers, then add the cheese cubes. Stir until it melts and incorporates into a smooth sauce. Do not boil. Remove from heat.
Transfer to fondue pot and serve with your favorite veggies.
EASY CHOCOLATE FONDUE
Ingredients:
1 container (16 ounces) prepared chocolate frosting
1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
Directions:
In a microwave safe bowl, warm the frosting on low power. Add the sour cream and mix until smooth. Heat on low power until warm. Transfer to a fondue pot and serve with fresh fruit and marshmallows.
CHOCOLATE TURTLE FONDUE
Ingredients:
4 ounces of milk chocolate
3 teaspoons caramel sauce
1 ounce pecan pieces
Directions:
Melt chocolate and caramel together. Place mixture into a fondue pot and sprinkle pecans on top. Serve with fresh fruit, crackers and chunks of pound cake.
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