It's Fun to Fondue

It's fun to fondue, or so proclaims an old cookbook. We discovered the ancient fondue pot on a shelf in the basement. Thought I sold it before the last move. So, we said, why not?

Aside from the calories and cholesterol, a reason why not may be the price of things. Holey moley, the cheese cost over $11.00. Add the wine and a decent baguette and it's not a cheap dish. Nonetheless.

I found two unused fondue works in the sideboard, and sterno in the garage with the garden stuff. Don't ask.

It wasn't any work at all. I think fondue maybe even predates the food processor, which makes grating the cheese a whiz. (Pun alert!) We bought a loaf of good bread and in no time at all we had fondue. It's still tasty, kind of cheesey and boozy and yeasty, altogether satisfying.

About a million years ago, Chicago had a restaurant called Geja's that served only fondue. And they had chocolate fondue for dessert and a fondue bourgignon for the people who weren't deeply into cheese. It was a fantastic restaurant, all cozy and fun, and even a million years ago they socked you pretty good for the fondue. But what a place!

If you cook it yourself, the pot is a mess to clean up, so what? Bet I won't be raiding the fridge at ten p.m.

Tomorrow, I'm using the rest of the gruyere in a chicken pasta dish, another non-diet dish. Phooey. Found the bean dip at Stop 'n Stop, just like the lady said. Noticed it didn't expire until late 2009 so I bought two cans. Bring on the Patriots!

Come tomorrow, we'll be ready.

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