Guest post by Ashley Rodriguez

In the cold months of winter nothing is more satisfying than a bubbling skillet of melted cheese. It’s the ultimate comfort food and really perfect for a romantic date night in or entertaining a crowd.

Any good melting cheese will work quite nicely and if beer is more your jam you can replace with the wine. Avoid something too hoppy as the bitterness can be a bit unpleasant.

Simple Fondue for a Crowd

 Ingredients

1 teaspoon olive oil
1 garlic clove, roughly chopped
1 pound Gruyère cheese, grated
½ pound Emmentaler cheese or other Swiss cheese, grated
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 cup dry white wine
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Method

In a large cast iron skillet add the olive oil. Over medium heat saute the garlic until fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes.

In a large bowl combine the cheese with the cornstarch, toss well to completely mix.

Carefully add the wine to the skillet and bring to a simmer. Stir in the cheese a handful at a time. Wait until each addition is completely melted before adding the next. Finish with lemon juice. Taste and add salt if needed.

Serve warm and rewarm over the stove as needed. Serve with bread, roasted vegetables, slices of apples and pears, and ham or cured meats.

Photos courtesy of Ashley Rodriguez