Fonduta Recipes

FIVE-CHEESE FONDUTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°. Brush an 8-in. cast iron or other ovenproof skillet with 1 tablespoon butter; set aside. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, mozzarella, fontina, cheddar and Parmesan cheeses, garlic, rosemary, thyme, pepper and remaining 2 tablespoons butter until combined. Spread into prepared skillet. Bake until bubbly and golden brown, 15-20 minutes. Serve with baguette slices, pita chips or vegetables.

FONDUTA (PIEDMONTESE FONDUE)

Steps:

• Pare off the rind and cut the cheese into small dice. Put into the bowl of a double boiler, cover with milk (the milk should barely cover the cheese) and leave to steep for at least 8 hours or overnight.
• In the bottom half of the double boiler, heat the water until it is hot but not boiling. Place the bowl over the water and add the egg yolks and the butter.Cook over low heat, stirring constantly but leisurely with a wooden spoon.
• The moment the cheese is smooth and creamy, pour it into deep heated plates or shallow bowls and sprinkle them with truffle and pepper. Serve with the toast points.

TAGLIATELLE WITH ASPARAGUS AND PARMESAN FONDUTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Meanwhile, bring an inch or two of water to a boil in a small pot. Whisk together the egg yolks, crème fraîche, Parmesan, and garlic in a large heatproof bowl that will fit snugly in the pot without making contact with the boiling water.
• Set the bowl in the small pot and whisk the egg mixture constantly, occasionally scraping the sides and removing the bowl from the pot every couple of minutes as you whisk to keep the cooking nice and slow (don't let it bubble). The mixture will look thick and clumpy for a few seconds, then become liquidy, and then, once the cheese has melted, silky smooth. Cook just until the liquidy sauce has thickened slightly (it should thinly coat the back of a spoon), 6 to 8 minutes. Set the bowl aside in a warm place.
• Salt the large pot of boiling water generously until it tastes slightly less salty than the sea. If you're confident that the pasta and asparagus will finish cooking at the same time, add them both to the water. If you're a worrywart, cook the asparagus first, scoop it into a colander to drain, then cook the pasta. Cook the asparagus until it is juicy with a slight bite, 3 to 4 minutes; and cook the pasta until it is fully cooked, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Drain the pasta and asparagus well in a colander, then pop them back into the now-empty pot. Pour in most of the fonduta and toss gently but well. Season to taste with salt and more fonduta, if you'd like. Transfer to bowls, top with a little more Parmesan, and eat straightaway.

FONDUTA

Steps:

• Heat the milk and heavy cream in a medium saucepan over medium heat, being careful not to scorch the bottom. Beat the eggs in a medium bowl until homogenous, then set aside. When the milk mixture begins to simmer, add 1 ladleful to the eggs and whisk to combine. Repeat with 2 more ladlefuls, making sure to whisk thoroughly between each addition. Pour the egg mixture back into the simmering milk and reduce the heat to low. Cook, whisking, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the mascarpone and fontina until melted. Transfer to a serving bowl and shave the truffle on top, if using. Serve with salami, garlic bread or your favorite crudites!

MOZZARELLA FONDUTA

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, bring the tomato-basil sauce and red pepper flakes to a simmer over medium heat. Cook uncovered until thick, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the basil.
• Preheat the broiler.
• Place six 5-ounce ramekins on a baking sheet. Divide the sauce equally among the ramekins. Divide the prosciutto among the ramekins. Place the slices of mozzarella between 3 paper towels to absorb any excess moisture. Place the slices of mozzarella on top of the prosciutto. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the Gruyere on top.
• Broil until the cheese is melted and golden brown, 5 to 8 minutes. Serve with grilled bread.

ITALIAN FONDUTA

Steps:

• In top of a double boiler set over simmering water, melt butter. In a bowl, whisk together the milk and the yolks; stir in the cheese.
• Whisking constantly, slowly add egg and cheese mixture into butter. Continue whisking until mixture has melted and thickened slightly, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Transfer fonduta to a warmed bowl and garnish with shaved truffle or truffle oil, if desired. Serve with bread, potatoes or asparagus, for dipping. Alternatively, arrange asparagus on a platter, drizzle with fonduta, and garnish with shaved truffle or truffle oil.