The Caramelized Shallot and Gruyere Cheese Fondue is the perfect appetizer when its served with sourdough bread, vegetables, or even spicy sausage.
Ingredients
1tablespoonbutter
6ouncesshallots, thinly sliced (about 1 ½ cups)
1teaspoongranulated sugar
1teaspoonsalt
14ouncesgruyere cheese, finely grated (about 3 ½ cups packed)
2tablespoonsall-purpose flour, for a gluten free version use 1 ½ tablespoons corn starch
1 ½ cupsdry white wine, more as needed
1pinchground nutmeg
1smallgarlic clove, finely minced
2tablespoonsapple brandy, like calvados
1teaspoonfresh ground black pepper
Instructions
Melt butter over medium heat in a medium-sized, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Add the shallots and cook for 2 minutes. Add the sugar and salt and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes.
While the shallots are caramelizing, grate the cheese using the fine edge of the grater. Add to a large bowl and toss with the flour, or for a gluten-free fondue toss with cornstarch.
Add the white wine to the shallots and bring to a boil for 1 minute. Using one small handful at a time, slowly begin to add the cheese. Whisk until the cheese is melted and the pot returns to a simmer before adding more. Continue until all the cheese has been added to the fondue.
1 ½ cups dry white wine
Whisk in the nutmeg, garlic, calvados and pepper. Be generous with the amount of pepper you grind in. Check for seasonings and add more salt and pepper as necessary.
1 pinch ground nutmeg, 1 small garlic clove, 2 tablespoons apple brandy, 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
If you would like your fondue to be a little thinner you can add another splash of wine or even water.
Notes
Use a dry white wine such as a pinot gris or a sauvignon blanc in this recipe.The fondue can be made up to a day in advance. Store the cooled fondue in your fridge until about 15 minutes before you would like to serve it. Warm it on medium-low heat and whisk frequently until it is hot and bubbling. You may need to add a splash of water to thin it a little.
What to dip in a cheese fondue
While bread is what is often served with fondue, there are many other things that you can use to dip. Some of our favorites are spicy sausage, sautéed whole mushrooms, lightly steamed broccoli or cauliflower, prawns, tiny roasted potatoes, and slices of apples.