Wild
Mushroom & Fontina Fondue
Ingredients
1 oz. dried wild mushrooms
1 c water
2 T butter
4 oz. mixed wild mushrooms
2 T shallots, minced
1 c white wine
1 T white wine vinegar
1 lb. Italian fontina cheese, diced
1 T cornstarch
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Method
1. Soften dried mushrooms in 1 cup boiling water for 20 min.
Lift mushrooms out of the water & reserve the liquid,
(strain if any grit settled out of the mushrooms). Chop the
mushrooms & set aside.
2. In a heavy bottomed saucepan over medium heat, melt butter
& sauté the fresh mushrooms about 5 minutes, until
browned.
3. Add the shallots & sauté until soft.
4. Add the reserved liquid from the mushrooms & bring
to boil. Reduce until all the liquid is evaporated.
5. Reduce heat, add the wine & vinegar and simmer 5 min.
Toss the diced cheese in a bowl with the cornstarch.
Slowly add the cheese to the simmering mushrooms, stirring
to blend the cheese before adding more.
6. Season to taste & transfer to a fondue pot.
What
To Dip
Crusty French or Italian Bread Cubes
Blanched Asparagus Spears
Cooked Baby Artichoke Hearts
Small Mushroom Caps
Boiled New Potatoes
Gherkins
Italian Sausage or Ham Pieces
Fennel Slices
(For a meal, serve with a mixed green salad and a bottle of
white wine)
Fondue
Tips
*Use the correct Fondue pot for the type of fondue you are
making.
*There should be no more than 6 people to each pot of fondue.
*It is traditional to rub the inside of your fondue pot with
a piece of cut garlic before adding the
ingredients.
*If the fondue becomes too thick, add a little warm wine.
*If the fondue becomes too thin, add a little cornstarch or
grated cheese.
*If the fondue becomes lumpy or separates, place back on the
stovetop over moderate heat &
whisk gently. Mix a little cornstarch in wine and stir into
the fondue. Or try stirring in 1t
lemon juice.
*Guests should give the fondue a figure eight swirl with their
forks as the dip to discourage the fondue from separating.Fondue
Rituals
*A Swiss custom is the forfeit. If a woman drops what she
is dipping into the fondue pot, she has to kiss all the men
present. If a man drops what he is dipping, he has to buy
a bottle of wine for each guest. If a person drops what they
are dipping a second time, they must host the next party.
*When the fondue is finished, a brown crust will have formed
on the bottom of the pot. Don’t let it burn, it is delicious.
Traditionally it is given to the Guest of Honor.
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