5 ways to give your Swiss cheese fondue an extra flavor kick

Summer is over!

So I dusted off my cheese fondue that had been gathering dust on my upper most pantry shelf.

As of September I tend to bring classic winter dishes back onto our dinner table here at home.

And it goes without saying that this also includes a classic family evening around a heavenly creamy cheese fondue melting pot.

How to make cheese fondue

There are 2 ways to make a cheese fondue at home:

1) you buy a handy ready-made cheese mix for fondue in your local supermarket – or

2) you can put together your own mix of grated cheeses at your favorite cheese shop

Do you often make cheese fondue at home?

I love these lush melted cheese evening.

A large bubbling cheese melting pot in the middle of the table, surrounded by a bunch of side dishes. Metal fondue skewers in attack mode.

And taking about side dishes…

What sides dishes to serve fondue with?

The first thing that comes to mind: bread of course!

We always use a French style baguette, cut into bite sided cubes.

However people often go for boiled potatoes instead, or a mixture of both diced bread and boiled potatoes.

Other things that you can also on our cheese fondue table: pickled gherkins, a green salad.

And cured meats such as serrano ham, coppa, bresaola, salami.

Do you prefer to make the classic fondue mix or are you trying out a couple of extra flavors this year?

Here are 5 creative ideas to spice up your cheese fondue!

5 ways to give your Swiss cheese fondue an extra flavor kick

Use other cheeses

In a classic cheese fondue you will always find Emmental and Gruyere.

However you can give your cheese fondue a little extra flavor by adding another stronger tasting cheese such as parmesan cheese or blue cheese.

Alcohol

A splash of wine usually goes into a classic cheese fondue.

In Switzerland people often like to add a few drops of Kirsch.

Wines that fit perfectly with and in a cheese fondue are: Fendant, Grüner Veltliner, Pinot Blanc or Riesling.

Is cooking without alcohol not your cup of tea?

Then you can still add a little bit of veal broth and a few drops of lemon juice.

Dried mushrooms

We have been doing this for years!

Can’t find dried porcini mushrooms? Other dried mushrooms also work: chanterelles, shiitake or morels.

You can give your cheese fondue that extra punch by adding a handful of soaked porcini mushrooms.

Do you have some truffle oil in your pantry?

Add a couple drops to the melted cheese and mix well.

Spices and herbs

And the first thing we think of is garlic of course!

Cut a clove garlic in half and rub the inside of your cast-iron fondue melting pot with it. Or let the garlic clove cook in the wine for a while and remove it right before adding cheese.

Nutmeg, freshly ground black pepper and caraway or cumin seeds are also best friends with melted cheese.

Do you want to add fresh herbs as well?

Then we recommend to add finely chopped fresh chives or tarragon.

Other condiments

Here is another idea or the dare devils: have you ever tried this one?

In Switzerland a dash of tomato passata is sometimes added to the cheese fondue.

We usually stick to a few drops of English Worcestershire sauce to give our fondue an extra flavor layer.

Cheese Fondue Recipe Melting Pot

Are you trying your hand at making a cheese fondue from scratch this year?

Then we have the perfect recipe for you to try out!

Let us show you how to make a classic Savoyard fondue recipe with 3 cheeses, white wine and garlic…

We use a mixture of 3 grated cheeses: comté, emmental and beaufort.

Head over to June’s food and recipes blog to find the full recipe, and scroll down to the last recipe on that page!

Try it, and let us know how it was!