Archive for April, 2006

Cheese for Dinner

Monday, April 3rd, 2006



There is nothing better than watching basketball and eating cheese for dinner. Ok maybe the basketball part doesn’t thrill you but trust me, this dinner is perfect for watching your sport of choice, a movie or even just hanging out with friends.

I haven’t had fondue in about a year when we took Evan’s Mom out to the Melting Pot for Mother’s Day last year. Fondue is a funny concept…you have to basically cook your own food. But it is a great way to eat your veggies! Ok, truthfully I ate all of the veggies and Evan ate the meat but that’s beside the point.

Fondue can be a finicky thing to make, it is like risotto in that is required a bit of attention and constant stirring but the ingrediant list is accessible and you can dip in whatever you like. It’s also a great way to clean out the fridge and use up all of your leftover meat and veggies.

I seared some beef stew meat, cut up some green apples and brought out some leftover roasted broccoli and dinner was done! The top picture is our creation, a Philly Cheese Steak on a Stick!

Classic Swiss Fondue
1 garlic clove cut in half
1 1/2 cups dry white wine
1 T kirsch or brandy
8 ounces shredded Swiss or Emmental cheese (2 cups)
8 ounces shredded Gruyere cheese (2 cups)
3 T all purpose flour
1/8 t black pepper
pinch ground nutmeg
dippers of your choice

1. Rub inside of fondue pot or heavy non reactive pot with garlic, discard garlic. Pour wine into pot and heat over medium-low heat until very hot but not boiling. Stir in kirsch.

2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl toss cheeses with flour until mixed. Add cheese mixture one handful at a time, into the wine and stir constantly and vigorously until cheese is melted. If the mixture separates, increase the temperature to medium stirring until just smooth. Stir in nutmeg and pepper.

3. Transfer fondue to table, placed over a tabletop heater to keep hot. Dip with your choice of fruits, veggies, meats and breads!

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Attention Bakers! I need your help!

Sunday, April 2nd, 2006

OK I have been asked to make these cupcakes for a lady’s baby shower. I have never made a dessert that I got paid for so I need some advice from you all.

1. What should I charge for them? I am only making 12, but will probably throw in an extra for the Mom-to-be to take home. These are pretty intricate but I think this job could turn into other jobs.

2. Anyone have any suggestions for the white chocolate glaze that goes on the chocolate cupcakes? (I have to make 6 chocolate and 6 vanilla cupcakes) I have made white chocolate ganache before but it turned out rather translucent and I need these to be opaque. I guess I cold always used fondant but I wanted it to look more like a glaze.

I am a bit overwhelmed with this job, but luckily I have a couple weeks to experiment before they have to be done. But I am sure I will be making lots of friends with all of my “trials”!

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