When I was first introduced to fondue as a child by my fromage-fiend mother, I simply didn't get it. Granted, at the time I was in the throes of a regrettable melted-cheese phobia, so when we'd dine on this cheesy delight, I'd sullenly munch on cubes of crusty bread and the other accoutrement. Thankfully, I came to my senses in my teens, and have since dived into fondue-fanaticism full force.
Gooey and rich, this Swiss dish is meant to be lingered over with friends or a loved one, and is especially apropos during the chilly Winter months. Better yet, fondue is one of those seemingly fussy dishes that's extremely easy to re-create at home, provided one has the requisite equipment. Here I'm using a vintage fondue stand and a standard saucepan, but if I were to invest in another set-up it'd be this ingenious set-up from Trudeau
I won't try to sugarcoat it (until later that is); tempering white chocolate is by no means an easy process. Why should you bother? Well, tempering chocolate melts the chocolate to a specific temperature so the fat and sugar molecules collide. When the chocolate cools and hardens, it appears smooth and shiny and has a toothsome snap. Not all chocolates are created equal. We've covered 
I know what you're thinking: what the heck is a coulis, and why should I care? Put simply, a coulis is a silky-smooth, uncooked sauce that can be made up of fruits or vegetables (though fruit is more common). In regards to why you should care, few recipes provide more jaw-dropping results for the amount of effort expended. Little more than a whir in the blender and a pass through a strainer separates you from a versatile flavor-packed sauce that can perk up a variety of treats. 
I've been known to eat it straight from the jar, but for a more refined option, try drizzling raspberry coulis on nearly anything sweet. Some of my favorite ways to use up the ruby-hued beauty of a sauce include drizzled over lemon soufflés, 
Chocolate heart cupcakes for Valentine's Day! If you’re looking for a cute dessert to make for your sweetie, kid’s 4th grade classroom, or best friend, these adorable little cupcakes cover all the bases! I used a scratch cupcake recipe but you can definitely use a boxed mix to cut down on time.