How to Make a Romantic Fondue Gift Basket

Fondue is an intimate, cozy meal, perfect for a romantic twosome or for a small, casual dinner with friends. A fondue gift basket, with a fondue pot set and other supplies is a thoughtful meal for newlyweds or people who have just moved into their first home. The fondue meal can be shared in a leiisurely fashion, as the meal is, by nature, slow. Pieces of meat are cooked, one of two bite sized bits at a time. The meals are great for couples and small groups are a relaxing repast on a cozy winter night, when they can enjoy the warmth of the flame and each other's company.

Types of Fondue

There are different types of fondue, meat, cheese and chocolate. The equipment for different fondues is made of different materials, as listed below.

A fondue pot can probably be found at the local department store. Prices start at about $25 but they can run quite a bit more. More elaborate sets may contain more accessories or be more solidly made. Watch for sales at the store and online. Fondue pots are set on stands with burners underneath. The burners use sterno fluid to keep the contents of the pot warm. Some pots use electricity instead of burners.

There are three main types of fondue, each requiring a different type of fondue pot. Fondue pots come with long handled forks with small tines that spears the piece of meat, bread, fruit or cake to dip into the hot oil, melted cheese or warm chocolate. Following are some of the different types of fondue pots found on the Homestead Market website.

1. Meat fondue is cooked in hot oil, or broth, so the pot is usually stainless steel.

2. Cheese fondue is a thick mixture of rich melted cheese that is kept warm in a ceramic pot.

3. Chocolate fondue is a wonderful dessert, with luscious, warm, melted chocolate ready for dipping fruits, marshmallows and pieces of sponge cake into.

4. Multifunction pot. Multifunction Fondue Sets come in stainless steel and have a ceramic inset to use for cheese and chocolate fondue.

5. Electric Fondue Pot. Electric sets include a warmer base and are warmed by electricity instead of the burner.

A fondue pot by itself is a very nice gift, but you can upgrade it by making it part of a gift basket with all the needed supplies. Following are supplies for a fondue gift basket.

1. Fondue Recipe Book. Look for a recipe book with complete instructions for a successful fondue dinner.

2. Fuel for the burner. Find out specifically hat kid of fuel is needed for the burner, unless it is an electric pot, and pick up a can or two so they have a supply of the correct fuel. Add a book of matches or lighter.

3. Cheese Fondue Mix. Cheese fondue can be made from a mixture of cheese and Kirsch liquor. Premium Cheese Fondue Mix is an authentic Swiss fondue imported from Switzerland that just needs to be heated.

4. Oil for meat fondue. Peanut oil is often recommended.

5. Sauces for the meat and chicken. After the meat is cooked the person puts the meat on their on plate and dips it into a sauce that they have spooned from a ramekin (small dish) onto their plate. Sauces can be imaginative, but should include selections, such as steak sauce, horseradish cream sauce, mustard, cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, dill sauce, bearnaise sauce, garlic butter and barbecue sauce. Include a small selection to get them started, such as steak sauce and barbecue sauce.

6. Chocolate. For chocolate fondue, include a chocolate made for a fondue, such as Swiss Knight Chocolate Fondue, or some delicious Swiss chocolate that can be melted. A Toblerone chocolate bar, or another brand of chocolate can be melted and kept warm in the fondue pot.

7. Wine. A bottle or two of fine wine goes well with the fondue meal and make the basket and even more generous gift.

8. CD. Add a CD of romantic music to set a intimate tone for the evening.

This gift basket provides the start for a romantic fondue dinner. They will have to go to the store to pick up other supplies, such as meat, bread for dipping into cheese and fruit for dipping into chocolate.

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