Cheese fondue.

I don't have much time to type this.  As I do, my dear sister-in-law and I are solving the worlds problems.  It's amazing what can be accomplished through conversation.

I had to share a wonderful recipe with you, though.  It was a necessity.

Yesterday to celebrate my 26th year of life, we served up a killer fondue spread.

You know the type of fondue I'm talking about?

Melted cheese in one pot.

Melted chocolate in another.

Strawberries, angel food cake, breadsticks, bread bites, roasted potatoes, marshmallows, bananas, and oranges in between.

One hour is spent preparing the fondue and food bites.  The next four hours are spent enjoying it.

I don't believe there is a more wonderful social food than fondue - it encourages people to stand around, graze on delicious food for hours, and lends to wonderful conversation.  I don't think we spend enough time lounging around enjoying food - as I've said before, perhaps I was meant to be Italian.

Now those people can appreciate some long meals.

Anyway.  Let's get to this wonderful recipe!

Cheese Fondue (a slight variety from my Mama's recipe)
You will need: 
 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
 - 1 shallot, minced
 - 1 cup high quality cream
 - 1 cup organic whole milk
 - 1 8oz. package of organic cream cheese
 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
 - 1 cup grated Swiss cheese
 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice
 - Salt and pepper to taste
 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
 - Fresh chives (optional)

Step One:  Heat up the olive oil in a saucepan.  Then, add the shallot and allow it to soften for 3-4 minutes.

Step Two:  After the shallot is softened, add in the cream, milk, and cream cheese.  Heat on medium-low heat until completely melted.

Step Three:  Add in the grated Parmesan and Swiss.  Heat until melted.  Then, add in the lemon juice, salt & pepper, nutmeg, and chives.  

Step Four:  Now this is important - you have to leave the fondue over heat at all times - so what I suggest is built your food spread around the stove and have a gathering in your kitchen!  Get creative.  Do your thing, baby.  I've seen some people use fondue pots that are heated by a candle (thought I've found they never keep it hot enough).  Another option would be to use a small crockpot to keep the fondue warm wherever you'd like to serve it.

We serve ours with an assortment of breads, breadsticks, and roasted potato bites.  Yum.

Step Five:  Pour you some wine (unless your pregnant, then opt for kombucha).  Get you a fondue fork.  Get busy.

Don't rush.  Just enough it.  Stand around the cheese pot for hours, slowly nibbling on the dairy goodness.  

I'm having so much fun getting to hang out with the family.  Fondue only accentuates that fun.

This meal is such a blast - I know you'll love it.

For other great meal ideas, no matter what your dietary restrictions, check out the meal planning service I use: Real Plans.

Cheese Fondue

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 shallot, minced
• 1 cup high quality cream
• 1 cup organic whole milk
• 1 8oz. package of organic cream cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup grated Swiss cheese
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ½ tsp freshly ground nutmeg
• Fresh chives (optional)

1. Heat up the olive oil in a saucepan.  Then, add the shallot and allow it to soften for 3-4 minutes.

2. After the shallot is softened, add in the cream, milk, and cream cheese.  Heat on medium-low heat until completely melted.

3. Add in the grated Parmesan and Swiss.  Heat until melted.  Then, add in the lemon juice, salt & pepper, nutmeg, and chives.  

4. Now this is important – you have to leave the fondue over heat at all times – so what I suggest is built your food spread around the stove and have a gathering in your kitchen!  Get creative.  Do your thing, baby.  I've seen some people use fondue pots that are heated by a candle (thought I've found they never keep it hot enough).  Another option would be to use a small crockpot to keep the fondue warm wherever you'd like to serve it.