Video Episode 4: "At The Table"
This episode focuses on making something that the kids love to eat and it requires that they sit around the table to eat it. Of course, I'm talking about fondue. This interpretation of fondue is made kid-friendly so it doesn't have any alcohol and it contains cheeses that are popular with kids - cheddar and American (yes, I know...it's still good, trust me.)
Kid-Friendly Fondue:
Hardware:
- 2-3 quart stainless steel pot
- 1 cup measuring cup
- Metal whisk
- Tablespoon
- Fondue set w/fondue forks
Ingredients:
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp AP flour (AP = all purpose)
- Approx. 1.5-2 cups milk (watch video for how this works)
- Salt
- Pepper
- 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 3 slices American cheese
- 1 tsp Worchestershire sauce
Process:
- Put pot over medium low heat
- Measure 3 tbsp of butter into pan, reduce heat if butter starts to sizzle right away - be sure not to burn the butter. If you do, start over.
- After butter has melted add three tbsp of flour to the butter, stir and continue to heat for about 1-2 minutes.
- Add 1.5 cups of milk a bit a a time making sure to incorporate the milk thoroughly as you pour - no lumps, please.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Slowly bring this mixture to a boil and test for consistency. It should be thick enough so when you bring a spoon out of it, the sauce will coat the spoon thickly and run off in a thin ribbon. If it is too thick, add more milk a bit at a time and repeat this process.
- Once the sauce is the correct thickness, add the shredded cheese, being sure to melt it thoroughly.
- Add the American cheese and stir until it is melted.
- Add the Worchestershire sauce and add recheck the sauce for seasoning - your sauce is ready!
- Add sauce to the pot for your fondue set and follow it's instructions for keeping the sauce warm.
Croutons (can be made ahead of time):
Hardware:
- Cookie Sheet
- Aluminium foil
Software:
- 1/3 loaf of bread sliced into 1" cubes
- Olive Oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic Powder
- 3-4 Hot dogs cut into 1/2" slices
Process (bread croutons):
- Pre-heat oven (if not convection) at 400 degrees.
- Place bread cubes onto a cookie sheet in a single layer.
- Drizzle olive oil over cubes and mix gently using your hands.
- Sprinkle salt, pepper and garlic powder over cubes and gently mix again.
- Place cookie sheet onto middle rack of the oven.
- Heat for approx 5 minutes until bread begins to brown.
- Using a spatula or tongs, toss croutons over and heat for another 5 minutes or until the new side is lightly browned.
- Take croutons out of the oven and place into a large bowl.
Process (hot dogs):
- Heat a 10" frying pan to medium high heat.
- Place cut up hot dogs in a pan.
- Heat, tossing occasionally, until the hot dogs are lightly browned on all sides.
- Place hot dogs into medium sized bowl.
Now call the kids and watch them feast!
Note: The croutons and the fondue can be made ahead of time. If you're bringing the fondue back up to dipping temperature, I'd recommend using a microwave - heat it up in 1 minute increments on high, taking it out and stirring it after each minute until it's at your desired temperature. Be careful! Hot fondue is like molten metal and can burn your mouth viciously if too hot.
Please note that you can adjust the thickness to your liking by adding more or less milk. Remember: it's better to add the milk a bit at a time to achieve your desired thickness than it is to try to thicken it after too much milk has been added. Also, the actual thickness of a sauce is accomplished when the mixture comes to a boil, not before. And above all, be patient. Your hard work and diligence will pay off!
Cheers!
SPC