The word fondue comes from the French language, and means ‘melted’. Fondue usually refers to a scrumptious pot of melted cheese that you can dip and scoop a piece of bread, or other edibles into. In Italy, it takes the form of cream cheese, which you can serve and eat with toast, egg, or even chicken!
Truffle fondue is fondue laced with truffles. You can create a truffle fondue mixture with any sort of cheese, be it toma, gorgonzola, or even fontina. Combining the savory flavor of the cheese and the earthiness of the truffles, the fondue bowl should satiate all your cheesy cravings. You just need a piece of your favorite bread and you’ll be making the most of your truffle fondue.
We know that truffle recipes can be daunting. Lucky for you, we have you covered. If you’re in the mood to snack on some truffle fondue, we’ve rounded up all the tips regarding preparation, cooking, and serving. Keep reading to find out all about this treasure from Italian cuisine!
The cheese mixture is the most essential component of the truffle fondue. Cheese is the main ingredient aside from the truffle. The cheese mixture is usually coupled with white wine, garlic, and a touch of cornstarch to create a velvety texture that is absolutely divine for dipping.
Overall, the cheese mixture sets the foundation for the entire dish and provides an indulgent culinary experience.
What Kind of Cheese Is Best for Truffle Fondue?
The truffle-cheese pairing is a classic, but it gets tricky depending on the type of truffle you use. The key is using fresh shavings instead of truffle oil. Truffles also possess a vast range of flavors; from the white truffle with hints of a garlic note to the richness and earthiness of the black truffle. Fontina cheese is always a good starter, and we recommend it for beginners.
Since truffles can be an acquired taste, we recommend giving truffle fondue enough time. You can pair it with toma, gorgonzola, or even mascarpone if you feel adventurous. If you have a penchant for stronger flavors, moliterno is the way to go. You can even use Swiss cheese.
What Does Fontina Taste Like?
Fontina cheese is the go-to cheese for the fondue. Its texture ranges from soft to mild and it possesses a savory and nutty flavor. In flavor, it resembles provolone, gruyere, and gouda. Fontina produces a rich and creamy sauce that is the best cheese mixture for fondue recipes.
Fontina Ala Valdostana, a dish made from Fontina whipped into milk, eggs, and truffles is the characteristic dish to savor the decadent cheese. You can cook this traditional dish and pair it with a diced choice of protein.
Is Fontina Cheese Similar to Gruyère?
Gruyere and Fontina are quite similar; both of them have nutty undertones and can easily dissolve into a creamy mixture that is great for pizza, casserole and you guessed it – fondue! They’re both favorites in Italian cuisine, so don’t be afraid to serve them with your truffles.
Black Truffle Fontina Fondue
For this recipe, you can drizzle truffle oil too instead of using just shavings. Use a well-ripened cheese and thicken it with cornstarch if you wish. After combining the black truffle and the cheese, you can choose to serve it in a heavy-based saucepan for an aesthetic display on the dining table. Some edibles to pair with your black truffle fontina fondue pot are:
A charcuterie board. Not only are they incredibly visually pleasing, but they also have a range of options.
Sourdough or rye bread.
Cauliflower or broccoli. You can choose to steam them.
Mushrooms.
Butternut squash.
Cooked red potatoes.
Grilled chicken.
Make sure to choose an option that truly enhances the flavor of your fondue. Remember that a fondue pot can only be enjoyed with the supplementary food that comes with it, so this part is just as important as the fondue itself. Don’t be afraid to mix things up a little!
Truffle Fondue (Fonduta al Tartufo) with Fontina Cheese
This classic recipe hails from the Piedmont region in the North of Italy. It is composed of Fontina cheese and truffles (fresh white or winter truffles). You can either use a truffle slicer to slice it over the bowl or scatter it over the fondue. Serve with toasted bread to access the full spectrum of flavor that Fonduta al Tartufo possesses.
How to Make Italian Truffle Fondue
Italian fondue is a fairly simple recipe. You just need to follow the steps below and you’ll have your very own bowl to pair with eggs, sourdough, or even salmon.
Dice Fontina cheese into small cubes and put it in a bowl. Pour milk into the bowl until the cheese is entirely covered. Place the bowl in the fridge and let it rest.
Crack some egg yolks in a pan. Add the cheese and milk mixture to it, and some butter. Stack the saucepan over another saucepan containing water and bring the water to a boil. Stir the pot until the cheese starts melting.
Keep stirring on medium heat with a wooden spoon until the fondue reaches a thick and creamy consistency. When it does, take it off the bain marie and pour it into a bowl. Grate your choice of truffle on the thickened mixture and serve with bread or meat. And that’s a wrap! Serve in a large bowl or a small one, depending on your choice of paired edible. Make sure you serve the fondue warm so you can make the most of it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, truffle fondue is a decadent and indulgent dish. The combination of melted cheese, the rich and earthy truffle flavor, and a diverse range of dipping options make for a very unique food experience. It’s definitely worth treating yourself on a special occasion or making food for a loved one. You can enjoy truffle fondue as an appetizer, a meal, and a dessert, and can truly savor the flavors of the wonderful truffle.
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