Fondue Accessories

Dressed for success

Properly accessorizing a fondue pot makes the most of this versatile kitchen tool. While some of a fondue pot's best accouterments serve as back-ups to the basic set, other tools enhance the quality of the actual fondue, make the fondue set more flexible, or enrich the dining experience of one's guests.

Having a back up of fondue essentials makes entertaining a breeze. If unexpected guests show up for an event or party where fondue is being served, extra utensils allow a host or hostess to seamlessly integrate them into the festivities. When purchasing a fondue set, consider picking up some of the specialty forks made just for meat or hot oil fondues. They serve double duty as both a specialty utensil and back-up service. Another great item to stock is extra fuel. Weather your fondue pot uses gel fuel canisters or tea lights, keeping extra on hand eliminates a mad dash to the store during a celebration.

A fondue party isn't complete without appropriate serving dishes. For a starter set, consider getting some small plates for each diner. For a more elaborate fondue service, add some condiment trays, segmented fondue plates, and bowls for dipping sauce. For a more unique and fun service, pick up a Lazy Susan and some different cooking attachments, such as a grill pan.

Ultimately, the item most important to the fondue set is the melted cheese or chocolate inside the pot. For the best final product, invest in quality ingredients, a good fondue cookbook, and a few choice tools. A fondue cookbook is a good place for the novice start and also inspirational for the experienced chief.

Armed with a recipe, the next step is assembling tasty ingredients. Gathering ingredients is as simple as a trip to the specialty food store or deli. These stores stock the highest quality, international cheeses, wine, and chocolate.

Finally, a few tools make for a better end result. A wire fondue spoon or fondue strainer eliminate lumps fro a more appetizing and professional product.