Welcome to the most recent version of Come On Over, Food52 editorial director Julie Vadnal’s e-newsletter that is all about internet hosting gatherings large and small—with out shedding your cool. Bought firm? Enroll right here for her emails.
Essentially the most power my husband and I can ever muster up for Valentine’s Day often entails a dinner at Vinny’s, an informal Italian restaurant close to us the place the parts are enormous and the costs are low. There’s by no means a wait, and we find it irresistible. This 12 months, we’d nonetheless go there—however I additionally wish to pull a Leslie Knope and have my girlfriends over on the thirteenth, too. This requires fondue.
1. Getting Tacky
Our hottest fondue recipe entails two sorts of cheese and about half a bottle of wine (plus Kirsch!). It additionally has the phrase “legendary” within the title—want I say extra? It’s silky, by no means too gloopy, and ideal for a crowd.
2. Do the Dip
My pal Katherine, who owns an unimaginable banquet store known as Huge Night time, taught me all the things I learn about what to pair with cheese fondue, from boiled potatoes to radishes to hunks of sourdough, and even grapes. Ask your folks to every deliver a meals they’d wish to dunk in cheese. But in addition, we’ve got concepts.
3. The ’70s Are Again
Picture by Rocky Luten
In fact you might use an enameled forged iron pot and convey it to the desk, however I want I’d registered for this fondue pot after I acquired married. It comes with a burner, 4 prongs, and a ceramic pot that you would be able to put within the dishwasher when the occasion’s over. (I can’t say that for my mother and father’ one from the ’70s!)
4. Bubble Up
Picture by Ty Mecham
Wealthy cheese goes completely with one thing bubbly, which I prefer to serve in coupes that come within the colour of affection. Aww.
5. Preserve Dessert Easy
Picture by Elvin Abril
A heaping bowl of strawberries—actually, make it overflow—is the right dramatic ending to a fondue night time. It couldn’t be simpler to place collectively, although I don’t assume anybody would complain if you happen to hand-whipped some cream to go along with it.
6. For the Day After
Let’s think about a world through which you will have fondue leftovers. This tiny self-heating pot makes a private serving to of tacky goodness, and—I promise I’m not making up this final half—the heating pad may also cost your cellphone or wi-fi earbuds.
How are you internet hosting for Valentine’s Day? I might love to listen to your plans within the feedback!
