While most of the country is already turned on their heaters and brought out their winter jackets, we’ve been suffering from the unbearable heat with 10,254% humidity until just a few days ago. I envy those of you in cooler states, you get to snuggle under a fuzzy blanket and drink hot chocolate with the mug cradled in your palms for warmth.
Of course, the grass is always greener on the other side, right?
A few days ago, when it finally dipped below 80F and I could safely open the front door without it feeling like a furnace blast, we made fondue at home as well as on my cooking segment on Daytime television (video below)
First, a little about where this recipe came from. I recently hosted a recipe contest with Pacific Natural Foods where 2 winners got an all-expense paid trip to culinary boot camp at the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley.
Lucky winners, Michael Natkin of Herbavoracious and Virginia Slim scored the trips — and I got to choose the “Jaden’s Pick” winner, which was this Spinach and Mushroom Fondue by One Spicy Dish blogger, Holly.
I stayed pretty true to her recipe…except for one thing.
I added bacon.
Would you expect anything less from me?
Dipping foods included blanched cauliflower and broccoli florets:
…asparagus spears…
….dunked in the fondue up by happy kid number 1….
…pumpernickel bread chunks, the favorite of kid number 2…
…and apple chunks, my personal favorite.
Spinach Mushroom and Bacon Cheese Fondue Recipe
Ingredients
- 32 ounces chicken or vegetable broth (I prefer Pacific Natural Food Chicken Broth)
- 16 ounces mild cheddar cheese, shredded
- 8 ounces gouda cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons flour or cornstarch (I prefer flour)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 ounces frozen chopped spinach, thawed
- 3 slices bacon, minced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 4 ounces fresh mushrooms of your choice, chopped
- 3/4 cup white wine (or beer)
Dipping foods:
- Broccoli florets
- Cauliflower florets
- Asparagus spears, ends trimmed and cut into 3" lengths
- Green beans, trimmed
- Granny smith apples, cut into chunks
- Pumpernickel bread, cut into chunks
Instructions
- Prepare the dipping foods by bringing the chicken stock to a boil in a sauce pot. Add the broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus and green beans and cook for 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, strain out the vegetables, reserving the broth. You will use 1/4 cup of this reserved broth in the fondue, but save the rest for another use.
- In a large bowl, toss together the shredded cheddar, shredded gouda and the flour until flour is coating cheese evenly. Set aside.
- Take the thawed chopped spinach in your hand and squeeze as much water as you can out of the spinach. Set aside.
- Heat a fondue pot or medium pot over medium heat with the butter and bacon. Cook the bacon for 2 minutes (make sure the bacon does not burn or cook too quickly). Add the garlic and mushrooms and saute until the mushrooms are softened, about 2 minutes. Pour in wine and 1/4 cup of the previously reserved chicken broth from step 1. Bring to a simmer and in batches, add a handful of the cheese, stirring and letting the cheese melt before adding more. Stir in the chopped spinach. If the fondue becomes too thick, add a couple tablespoons of additional broth.
- Serve fondue with the vegetables, apples and bread.
Notes
Other Fondue Recipes
Aged Cheddar & Guinness Fondue – Steamy Kitchen
Making Swiss Fondue – David Lebovitz
Crab Fondue – Simply Recipes
Roast Pumpkin & Cheese Fondue – Epicurious
Chevre & Herb Fondue – Je Mange la Ville
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Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the recipe card below and leave a review in the comment section! I always appreciate your feedback and I know other readers do, too!
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Hi 🙂 I tried to use the store bought shredded cheese but it didn’t work out 🙁 so I have to buy cheese and shred myself them coat with flours?
Looks delicious ah. I love the colors .
Fondue is my favorite winter dish. We made it all the time in Brazil. I’ll have to try out your recipe.
I printed out this recipe and am definitely going to make it… BACON… I knew I liked you 🙂
Is it bad that that first photo made me want to lick my computer screen? Oh my heavens, Jaden! Seriously, this looks amazing! Now all I have to do is buy a fondue pot! 🙂
Is there a substitute for Gouda that I could find in Podunk, Texas population 1500?
Use any type of cheese you like!
Thank you for making the fondue. I think this was more exciting that actually winning the contest :). Ps….love the bacon. We southern girls LOVE our bacon!!!
Your video is great! I can’t believe how easy this actually is. Thanks!
Thanks Angela!
Oh I love this. Mushrooms, spinach and bacon are great trio in so many dishes, but I never thought of fondue. Frittata, sandwiches, pasta, rice, burritos, all great, but never thought of fondue and granny smith apples. So perfect.
I am melting here! This has got to be the ultimate cheese heaven! Yum!
Awesome. Everything is better with bacon.
OMG! What are you trying to do, KILL me?? Between this, the butter-poached lobster, and the bacon cauliflower, I am going straight to hell!
and I’ll be right next to ya!~
OH YUM. I am drooling on my keyboard. Keep up the great work Jaden – love your blog, recipes and photography!
Thanks Lindsey!
This looks so amazing and delicious 😀 I love fondue and steam boats, which are famous in Malaysia.
looks delicious! i love fondues, hot pots, nabe, you name it. 🙂
This will be great for small get togethers. I’ll definitely make mine with bacon too!
Fondue is popular at our house too. I still have my 18 year old wedding gift fondue pot that we break out with sterno and all! (It’s on the shelf next to the vintage crock pot).
I know our girls will love trying this one!
P.S. You look as beautiful as ever on camera
You can keep it warm all night! Have extra broth on hand to add as the evening goes on to keep it the right consistency.
This looks amazing and is thinking about having it as part of an appetizer course for Christmas. How long can you keep this warm over a candle burner?
I absolutely need this in my life ASAP!!!! Gouda and Cheddar and Bacon and Mushrooms is like a dream come true!
Wow! This looks amazing!!!! Drool. What a great combination 🙂