Like all reasonable human beings, we interpret wintery weather as Mother Nature’s subliminal message to do one simple thing: eat cheese fondue. But before you dive into a big gooey pot of, say, this version with Gruyère and Cider, or this version with Champagne (or this recipe, or this one—clearly we’re somewhat obsessed), its worth knowing a bit of fondue etiquette.
Indulge in fondue at City Café this week. Their Three Cheese Fondue with Melting Mozzarella, Sharp White Cheddar and Gruyere Cheese topped with Bread Sticks just can’t be missed! Follow these tips for a traditional fondue experience.
1. Do make some noise – Feel free to scrape, clang, clank, and use whatever means necessary to dislodge the crust of browned cheese at the bottom of your empty fondue pot. Called “la religieuse,” the shards of crisped cheese have a toasty crunch and are considered a delicacy.
2. Don’t stir counterclockwise – Traditionalists say you must stir clockwise or in a figure-eight pattern to keep the cheese homogenized until you reach the very bottom.
3. Don’t drink anything but these 3 beverages – Sip only white wine, kirsch, or a tisane of herbal tea with your fondue meal. According to Swiss lore, any other drink—be it water, juice, or beer—will cause the melted cheese to coagulate and form a giant ball in your stomach, leaving you with debilitating indigestion. Yes, it sounds silly, but do you really want to risk it?
4. Don’t follow cheese fondue with chocolate fondue – A meal of Switzerland’s two most famous food exports seems like an obvious progression, but the two together might send you directly into a cholesterol coma. Instead, end your meal with fresh pineapple: The fruit’s acidity is a bright counterpoint to the creamy cheese; while its enzymes help you digest more quickly.
5. How to Dip – The proper method for dipping your bread in cheese is to scrape the bread on the bottom of the pot in a slow zig zag or figure eight. The idea is that each person who dips should help to stir the pot a little and get the full flavor of the cheese. Once you lift your bread above the cheese, let the excess cheese drip a little back into the pot to prevent wasting cheese while allowing it to cool for a moment before eating.
For these and many more delicious options visit City Café which is located at 607 N. Azusa Ave. in Azusa and can be reached by calling (626) 633-0269. Check out their full menu online by visiting www.citycafeazusa.com. For a Pasadena Now Exclusive Digital Coupon please go to: http://www.citycafeazusa.com/pasadenanowadcoupon
