
I love cheese fondue. Cheese Fondue is actually a family tradition and I am throughly addicted!
What used to be a special winter treat maybe 2 times a year has become a regular monthly (at least) meal now that pre-made packaged fondue is available!
I recently asked myself, 'What is it with me & the fondue??'
When I eat fondue I feel happy, almost euphoric, and comforted. Sure warm cheese and bread can account for some of this but I felt there was something more. So I thought back through the years to our family fondue moments. What I realized is that the whole family (pre-divorce days) was happy and excited for the fondue dinner, there was pride in having an authentic recipe learned while my parents lived in Germany. Fondue making takes time- grating the cheese, getting just the right kind of rye bread an cutting it into cubes beforehand so it would dry just the right amount so it would not break when dipped in to the melted cheese. We all seemed to have a role in making the fondue- Dad chose the wine, I got to help grate the cheese (this was pre-cuisinart days) , brother beamed his humor and snuck bits of cheese, and mom standing at the stove knew how to put it all together just right.
To eat fondue, the pot is placed over a small flaming burner on the table to keep it warm and melted. Everyone dips cubes of bread into this pot. It's COMMUNAL. How much warmer and cozy can you get??! Plus, if your bread happens to fall into the pot as you dip it, you must kiss the cook- that's the fondue traditional rule.
So, now I understand why I love fondue so much. I love the meal, but it also is infused with memories and emotions of family happiness, harmony, pleasure, love, fun and community.
xxoo.
~*Beth