Desi Cheese Fondue

Fondue is a Swiss melted cheese dish served in a communal pot over a portable stove or now also in an electric pot, and eaten by dipping bread and more into the cheese using long-stemmed forks. But this is not an authentic recipe this is how it is popularly eaten in India. In fact, this is how a lot of Indians think fondue actually is! This fondue is not made with traditional cheeses used to make fondue but it’s still so creamy & cheesy! This cheese fondue recipe is family-friendly since it’s made without wine. I highly recommend making it when you have friends or family over and it will be so much fun. You can customise all the things to dip and have something for everyone!

For a more authentic fondue recipe, click here.

Happy Cooking!

Servings: 6-9 servings

Prep Time: 20-30 mins

Cooking Time: 20-30 mins

Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients: 

Fondue:

• 1 tbsp butter

• 1 .5 tbsp cornstarch 

• 1.5-2 cups milk

• 1/2 cup heavy cream

• 1 veg bouillon cube

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1/8 tsp turmeric 

• 1/4 tsp red chili powder

• 1/4 tsp nutmeg powder or ajwain powder

• 1/2 tsp oregano 

• 1/4 tsp black salt

• 1/8 tsp pepper

• 1 cup grated processed cheese like Amul

• 1.5 - 1.75 cups grated mozzarella

• 1/2 cup grated pepper jack or some spicy cheese for flavor 

• 4 oz cream cheese; softened

• 1/2-1 tsp mustard

• 1.5-2 tsp Tabasco

Suggestions of things to Dip:

• Baguette bread or another loaf cut into cubes

• Steamed broccoli florets

• Boiled baby potatoes

• Crackers of your choice

• Sauteed whole mushrooms

Directions: 

1. Prepare all the toppings as you like before making the fondue. I drizzled olive oil on the bread cubes & toasted it in the oven at 400F for 7-8 mins flipping it midway.

2. Grate all the cheese and keep it aside.

3. Start the fondue pot or a saucepan. Keep it on medium heat.

4. Add butter and let it melt.

5. Add cornstarch and cook it with the butter for 1-2 mins.

6. Add 1.5 cups of milk and all the cream and cook till the corn starch dissolves in the milk.

7. Add the bouillon cube, garlic powder, turmeric, red chili powder, black salt, pepper, nutmeg, and oregano. Mix it together till everything is incorporated in the milk.

8. Add all the cheese and cream cheese and mix. You will need to stir it well for 5-6 mins for the cheese to melt into the milk well. If needed add more milk to dilute the mixture. Once all the cheese has been added the consistency should be thick, creamy & uniform.

9. Add the mustard and tabasco and mix it well.

10. Serve immediately in a fondue pot with the dippings of your choice.

Notes/Tips:

• Be sure to keep stirring the cheese as it melts to help an even melt and so that it doesn’t burn.

• You can serve it with anything, you can’t go wrong with it melted cheese!

• The bouillon cube, spices, and sauces help to add a lot of flavor to the fondue so don’t skip it!

• If you reheat it you will need to heat it on low and add more milk.