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Off to Market Recap: Fondue Pot

partysugar — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 03:01:41 -0800

All week I've been helping my sister and her BFF plan a girls-only Valentine's Day party. Fondue is on the menu, but we don't have a fondue pot, so I asked you to help us find one. You searched for both chocolate and cheese fondue pots that are festive, colorful, and easy to transport. You saved the pots in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Fondue Pot.

Several people bookmarked an adorable heart-shaped pink and chocolate brown fondue pot, but it isn't really something that can be used year round.

However this blue Le Creuset fondue pot that Twinkle discovered is perfect! Le Creuset is a trustworthy brand and this pot will last a lifetime. Thanks Twink! To see all of the fondue pots, browse below.

Don't know how to use the bookmarking feature of TeamSugar? Have no fear, geeksugar has created an easy how to.

Off to Market: Fondue Pot

partysugar — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 12:03:31 -0800

Next week I'm helping my sister and her BFF plan a girls-only Valentine's Day party. Fondue is on the menu, but we don't have a fondue pot! Can you help us by searching for a fabulous fondue pot? Look for festive, colorful pots that are easy to transport. We will need one for cheese and another for chocolate, so search for both types. Save the pots you find in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Fondue Pot. Thanks and happy hunting!

Don't know how to use the bookmarking feature of TeamSugar? Have no fear, GeekSugar has created an easy how-to.

To be inspired check out where I shop online and read more.

Bed Bath & Beyond
CB2
Cooking.com
Crate & Barrel
Ikea
Linens and Things
NapaStyle
Pier 1
Plum Party
Pottery Barn
Sur La Table
Target
Restoration Hardware
Williams Sonoma
Wishing Fish
World Market

Making the Most Fabulous Fondue

partysugar — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 10:03:51 -0800

While it may seem incredibly easy to throw a bunch of cheese into a pot and melt it, crafting a super-creamy fondue takes a little skill. In the February issue of Vogue, Jeffrey Steingarten acknowledges that the perfect fondue is hard to find. He said:

Fondues as smooth and suave as this are rare; more often the cheese separates and settles on the bottom of the pan in stringy clumps and lonely curds whose flavor is as fine as the cheese they're made from, but that congeal in the mouth into tough and chewy balls not unlike chaws of bubble gum.

No one would want to serve a chunky fondue like the one Steingarten describes. To ensure that you never make a bad fondue again, check out my tips for creating silky fondue, just read more.

Use the best-quality cheese you can afford. When making the classic Swiss version, use gruyere instead of emmentalar. Avoid using low-fat cheeses as they don't melt well.
Similar to a vinaigrette, fondue is an emulsion of melted cheese and wine, so keep that in mind when you are whisking the two ingredients together.
Use a dry white wine and add a little fresh lemon juice to provide acidity.
Cook over a low temperature and never let the fondue boil.
Before using a new fondue pot, break it in by boiling a mixture of half water, half milk for 15 minutes.
Never add all of the cheese at once to the pot. Add the cheese by the handful, stirring between additions to ensure a smooth, melted texture.
When setting up fondue, place in a part of the table that is accessible as you don't want guests reaching to get to the fondue. Place pots on different tables to ensure that everyone isn't crowded around one table.

Got a great tip for making fondue? Please share with us below!

Source and Source

Sunday Dinner: Classic Cheese Fondue

YumSugar — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 00:01:31 -0700

One of my favorite things in the whole world is cheese. I love it in just about all formats, but especially have a thing for it when it's heated and gooey and waiting for me to dip things into it. Yes ladies and gents, I'm talking about fondue. For tonight's Sunday dinner I suggest you gather up your favorite accoutrements (bread, cauliflower, cherry tomatoes, apples, broccoli, carrots, etc.) and prepare yourself a delicious cheese fondue. It'll work better if you have a fondue pot with long dipping forks, however if you don't, you can gather around the stove while you eat, but that's just not as fun. To check out a simple basic recipe (from which you can use as your launch pad to go crazy with cheese experimentation), read more

This recipe is assuming you have a fondue pot that is okay for the stove - or an adjustable temp fondue pot. If yours is more of a warmer only/can't go on the stove, start it in a different pot on the stove and then move it over to the fondue pot.

And don't throw out the leftover fondue. Store in an airtight container in the fridge, you can heat it back up for tomorrow's leftovers.

Classic Cheese Fondue
From Go Fondue

1/2 lb Emmenthaler (Swiss) Cheese (shredded)
1/2 lb Gruyeye (shredded)
1 clove Garlic
2 cups Dry White Wine
1 tbs Lemon Juice
2 tbs Flour
3 tbs Kirsch
1/4 tsp White Pepper
Nutmeg and/or Paprika to taste

Rub the inside of the fondue pot with the garlic clove - add clove to pot or discard
Heat up the White Wine & Lemon Juice - should be hot but do not boil
Reduce heat to low and slowly add cheese while stirring
Slowly add remainder of ingredients while stirring
If fondue is too loose add more cheese
If fondue is too stiff add more wine

Use dipping forks to dip your favorite items (crusty bread, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, etc).

Print recipe with images | without images

What do you like to dip into your cheese fondue?

Shown: Bodum Fondue Set

Come Party With Me: Valentine's Day Single Gal Soirée - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 11:01:51 -0800

As cheesy as it sounds red and pink decorations - with lots of hearts - are fun for any Valentine's Day party. Start by covering the table with a vibrant red tablecloth. Scatter heart confetti across the cloth. Set up the fondue pots and arrange large platters with the dippers around the pots. Stack appetizer plates and cocktail napkins on the ends of the table. Instead of using regular fondue picks use metallic heart picks. Fill vases with lush red tulip arrangements. For a super-festive atmosphere hang a Valentine's Day garland or banner, light-pink Christmas lights, and pink candles. Oh and the best part is, if you're hosting your party this weekend like I am, you may be able to pick up a lot of these decorations at half price!

Source

Wedding Registry 101: Cookware

YumSugar — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 05:57:31 -0700

To round out our wedding registry tips, I thought I'd cover my favorite category, cookware & bakeware. To begin, look at both of your current pots/pans and see if there are any worth keeping, or any sets you have already started. Also look to see what kind of pans you have, are there any you love and want more of? Or maybe you splurged on a fancy brand only to learn you hated the way they heated. Also think about your cooking style. If you're more health conscious, you may want to consider non-stick so that you can use less oil. If you're an aspiring chef, go for hard anodized stainless or copper for superior heat conductivity. To learn what you should look for when selecting pots, pans and bakeware, as well as a pretty full list of things you might want to register for, read more

Be sure to select materials and styles that reflect your cooking style.
Consider registering for a few different types of pans. Stainless steel requires the least maintenance and can go in the dishwasher, and sometimes you really don't feel like washing the pans by hand.
Copper pans are the best heat conductors, yet cool quickly allowing for maximum heat control. They are also oven safe, however you will have to hand wash them and occasionally polish them too.
Stainless Steel pans have a clean look, and are easy to take care of. They're also oven and dishwasher safe (bonus!).
Enameled Cast Iron pans heat slowly, but distribute heat effectively. The ones with porcelain-enamel insides are stick-resistant and the ones with the porcelain-enamel outsides are quite durable and cute. Plus, the enameled ones are dishwasher and oven safe.
If you don't like baking, then there's probably no need for specialty pans such as springform or popover. You may decide to register for more dinnerware or appliances instead.
Consider registering for pan sets as well as individual pieces. This way you'll break apart the range of prices your guests can choose from.
Cookware should feel good and sturdy in your hands. Also note the weight. If you find the pot too heavy to carry while empty, imagine it full of food.
Be sure to include at least 2 round cake pans and a square or rectangular cake pan. Also most muffin/cupcake recipes yield 24, so you may consider adding two to your registry.
For a fully stocked kitchen, you'll want to consider some of the following:
Cookware:
- Sauce Pans
- Sauté Pans
- Stock Pots
- Frying Pans
- Cast Iron Skillet
- Double Burner Griddle
- Casserole Dishes
- Wok
- Grill Pan
- Braiser
- Roasting Pan
- Paella Pan
- Fish Poacher
- Asparagus Pot
- Double Boiler
- Fondue Pot
- Steamer
- Pressure Cooker
- Tea Kettle
- Dutch Oven

Bakeware:
- Pizza Pans
- Muffin Pans
- Cookie Sheets
- Cake Pans (Round, Square, Rectangular)
- Pie Pans
- Tart Pans
- Loaf Pans
- Bundt Pans
- Popover Pans
- Ramekins
- Rolling Pins
- Springform Pans
- SilPat
- Pizza Stone
- Flour Sifter

- Mixing Bowls
- Cookbook Holder
- Measuring Cups

Shown: Sur La Table Professional HD Hard-Anodized Nonstick 8-Piece Cookware Set

All You Need To Enjoy Your Cheese

partysugar — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 08:57:32 -0700

It's National Cheese Day, so I decided to scour the web and highlight a few essential tools to help you enjoy cheese to the fullest. For slicing perfect slices of cheddar and Gruyere, choose a wooden board with an attached metal cutter. For softer cheeses, like Brie, use a special edged knife that allows you to smoothly spread cheese on crackers, toasts, and fruit pieces. Hard cheese such as Parmesan requires a cheese plane to create thick shaved sheets that can be placed onto pastas and salads. For wine and cheese parties, a wooden cheese board is essential for displaying a variety of cheese types. A box grater is useful for pizzas, tacos, gratins, and more. Lastly, for those special occasions, a shiny fondue pot allows you to savor melted cheese - it's an indulgent splurge that you won't use as often as your box grater, but it's one that you'll definitely delight in. To check out all these finds, scroll through the box below.