Fondue (Paperback)

~ (Author), Brigid Callinan (Author)
Key Phrases: melted after each addition, rustic bread cubes, steamed cauliflower florets, Melted Makeovers, Pot of Gold, Forever Fondue (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Whether it's the first course or the entire menu, fondue is the perfect party food or casual company dinner: it provides an instant theme; the little prep needed is done well in advance; and it's guaranteed to create a leisurely, cozy atmosphere. Here, you'll find tried-and-true classics (Gruyère, Cheddar), recipes to please cheese connoisseurs (Taleggio, raclette), novel spin-offs on favorite flavors (pizza, French onion soup, Rueben sandwich), and chocolate and caramel desserts that'll keep the tea lights burning long and bright. Rice and Callinan transcend the seventies craze--which delivered the experience but not the complex tastes of European tradition--to inspire a return to the blessedly uncomplicated and authentic fondue.

From the Publisher

* A fresh look at a favorite party pleaser, sure to inspire many a feast of melty cheese, chocolate, and caramel delights. * Includes 50 fondue recipes (40 savory, 10 sweet) with 20 full-color food shots. * Features a fondue primer, equipment essentials, a guide to cheese selection, basic prep guidelines, fondue party menus, and accompaniment and wine pairing suggestions for each fondue. * Failsafe formulas for using now widely available artisanal cheeses.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Ten Speed Press (September 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580088597
• ISBN-13: 978-1580088596
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #106,436 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mmmm... Molten Cheddar..., August 13, 2007

By	H. Grove "owling6683" (Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Lenny Rice and Brigid Callinan's Fondue starts off with basic ratios of cheese to liquid and starch; tips for holding a themed fondue party; dipping ideas; and notes on various types of fondue pots and fuel.

White not exactly a negative, I should note so you know what to expect from this book that it consists of three different chapters of cheese fondues and one of dessert fondues---no non-cheese main-course fondues. The cheese chapters include some basic cheese fondues, gourmet fondues, and "melted makeovers" or fondues meant to replicate the flavors of such things as pizza. There's also a homemade dippers chapter including such temptations as donut holes and pound cakes.

The flavors were uniformly delightful. The cheese and base combinations worked beautifully. The desserts are delectable. We made both simple and gourmet recipes, and they bowled us over. The boursin and camembert fondue was our favorite of the cheese fondues we made, but the dulche de leche beat everything else simply because, well, it's dulche de leche!

The cheese fondue recipes aren't entirely kid-friendly; the vast majority of them use alcohol as a base, and while of course the majority of the alcohol cooks off, I think most kids would still be able to taste the flavor of it (certainly I could). This is a bit of a shame, as fondue can be great fun for kids. However, you should be able to substitute apple juice for wine or beer in many of the recipes without it affecting them adversely (apple juice is one of their own suggestions for possible bases).

We also had some difficulties with the texture of some of the cheese fondues. They kept separating, which I'm not accustomed to, and the authors' directions for fixing such separation never worked for us. This didn't affect the flavor, but it did make the fondues a little less attractive. If you plan on just enjoying them at home with your spouse that's fine, but if you want to put on a festive fondue party for others that might not make you so happy.

Consider my score 3.5 out of 5.

[Review copy courtesy of 10 Speed Press]