National Cheese Fondue Day with Emmi Roth USA

me enjoying fondue at The Melting Pot in 2009

Did you know that today is National Cheese Fondue Day? WELL IT IS!!!

I love fondue, but it's not always easy (or in the budget) to go out and eat at The Melting Pot all the time. So hosting a fondue party at your house is a much more budget-friendly solution. You don't even have to whip up your own cheese or chocolate. Just use pre-made mixes from Emmi Roth USA.

I got the chance to review the Emmi Fondue Original for free in anticipation of National Cheese Fondue Day. I was also given some tips to help you dip like a pro.

But first, a little tip of my own: don't have a fondue set? Just use your crockpot!

We own fondue sticks, but no fondue pot, so I just broke out my 2-quart crockpot to heat up the mix. And it worked GREAT! It's also perfect to safely keep the mix warm while you're enjoying your fondue. No flames or weird fuel source. Just keep the crockpot plugged in. Of course, it helps if you've got a plug near your table or eating surface.

One more thing before we get to the other fondue tips. What did I think of the Emmi cheese fondue? Well, along with cheese, some of the other ingredients are wine and brandy, and boy oh boy could I taste the alcohol. It was actually really gross. When I eat melted cheese, I only want to taste cheese.

Emmi makes a traditional cheese blend without any alcohol and its chocolate fondue mix doesn't contain alcohol, so those varieties might be better. Of course, if you don't mind the taste of wine or brandy, then this might not be an issue for you. These are all available in Emmi's e-shop and select retailers.

And now for the fon-DO's of fondue:

Be a Delightful Dipper:

• Be sure your food is secured to your fondue fork or skewer before dipping to avoid losing it in the cheese.
• If you missed the first step and drop your dipper into the fondue, Swiss tradition says a woman must kiss the person next to her, and a man must buy a round of drinks for everyone. You could also just politely remove it to ensure the pot remains clean for all.
• Perfect your twirling and swirling. It is polite to make one to two small swirls before removing your food.
• Resist the urge to double dip. Food that has been bitten should never return to the communal pot.
• Be a little adventurous by tasting everything you are served (the exception to the rule is a dietary restriction, in which case you may politely decline).
• Sample before salting. Fondue is already seasoned with spices and wine, so it might be perfect just the way it is. If you do add salt, make sure you do it after you’ve dipped. 

Tasting Notes

• Wait your turn. Allow one person to dip at a time and proceed in a clockwise or counterclockwise fashion around the table.
• Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Dip larger pieces and then cut them into smaller bits on your own plate.
• A moment on the lips is frowned upon. Your fondue fork or skewer should never directly touch your mouth. Transfer your food to your plate before indulging.
• Let it cool. Never blow on freshly dipped hot food. Avoid splatters and allow your food to cool slightly on your plate.

The New Way to Fondue

• Fondue is a fun party meal for special occasions, but also a great weeknight meal for the family. Not to mention it will get your kids to eat their vegetables.
• It’s great to pay homage to this Swiss dining tradition, but be creative with using the cheese sauce as a dip or in a macaroni and cheese.
• Feel free to add your own twist with a few dashes of hot sauce or some prepared taco meat.

Hope you enjoy your fondue party! Be sure to invite me, okay?