Every Friday, we select a question from our Facebook fans and answer it in this weekly column. This week, we talk about fondue, the Swiss national dish.
The short answer is … yes. Even though fondue is classically made with white wine, it can also be made with other alcohols like brandy, beer or whiskey or, for a non-alcohol version, with flavorful stock. But there are a few things to keep in mind if youre making a fondue without alcohol.
Wine, in the case of the classic recipe, adds flavor and keeps the cheese from becoming stringy because the wine is so acidic. Alcohol also maintains a lower boiling point, which helps the cheese from curdling. So when you dont use alcohol in making fondue, its a good idea to add some lemon juice or a touch of vinegar. Traditionally fondue is made with hard or semi-hard, high-fat cheeses like Gruyère, Fontina, Raclette or Emmental. This is because these cheeses can withstand higher temperatures. Not to mention theyre also the most flavorful. We dont recommend the use of processed cheeses, which can break into an oily mess at high temperatures.Advertisement
Heres a recipe for Cheddar fondue, which is made without wine. We hope this helps you make the perfect fondue.
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In addition to using broth or apple cider as a substitute for wine in Swiss cheese fondue, you can also use beer or a combination of lemon juice and water. These alternatives can add depth of flavor and enhance the overall taste of your fondue without the use of wine.
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If alcohol is the issue then most of the alcohol from the wine will have cooked out by the time the fondue is ready and the kirsch could be omitted – just toss the grated cheese with the cornflour (cornstarch) before adding it to the fondue pot. Alternatively you could use a dry non-alcoholic white wine or light beer.
i read your recipe for cheese fondue in Nigella Express and i am wondering if i can substitute the liquor used in that recipe with something that is not alcoholic. What would you recommend?
There are two different types of alcohol used in the Cheese Fondue (Nigella Express p70). Flavour is added from the wine and the Kirsch, they also to and extent reduce the risk of the fondue curdling. However the acid in the wine also helps to stop the fondue from being stringy by breaking up the protein chains in the cheese.
If non-alcoholic wines are also not an option then the wine can be replaced with either milk or a 50/50 mixture of milk and chicken or vegetable stock (broth). Again toss the cheese in the cornflour first and add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to the pot as well. The fondue will be less stable without wine so heat very gently to reduce the risk of curdling and you may get better results by using a mix of harder cheeses (such as Gruyere and even cheddar) and omitting the soft cheeses (such as Brie and Camembert). The flavour will also be much milder so you may need to add some extra seasoning or spice, such as nutmeg or even a pinch of cayenne.
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The BEST Cheese Fondue – Without Wine!
FAQ
Do you have to use wine for fondue?
Is alcohol necessary for fondue?
What can I use if I don’t have a fondue set?
What is a substitute for brandy in fondue?
What wine goes with fondue?
White wines, are in my opinion, the best wines with fondue, especially alpine wines with very high acidity like Chasselas, Riesling, Grüner Veltliner. Since fondue is enjoyed more frequently around the holidays, you can never go wrong with pairing fondue with Champagne. It’s high in acid and the bubbles help cleanse your palate.
What can be used as a substitute for white wine vinegar?
Champagne vinegar is another mild wine-based vinegar. Fermented rice and has a sweet and mild flavor. It is mainly used in Asian cuisine. Apple cider vinegar made from fermented apples, apple cider vinegar. All being a great option.
Can you use alcohol in fondue?
Wine, in the case of the classic recipe, adds flavor and keeps the cheese from becoming stringy because the wine is so acidic. Alcohol also maintains a lower boiling point, which helps the cheese from curdling. So when you don’t use alcohol in making fondue, it’s a good idea to add some lemon juice or a touch of vinegar.
What wine goes with Fondue chinoise?
Around the holidays, it is traditional to serve fondue with cubes of meat. Fondue Chinoise, or Chinese fondue, is where red wine will shine. We still want a red wine with lots of acidity to cut through the grease of the cheese, so a Grenache or Pinot Noir will be the best wines for fondue.