Fondue

Fondue is a very fun dish to prepare and eat! I myself own two separate fondue sets, each complete with a fondue pot, candle, and dipping forks; and one even came with mini ladles, dipping bowls, and a turn-table for the dippers. Fondue originated in Switzerland, and literally means "to melt". It was a peasant dish, and was created to use up old foods.

There are many different types of fondue, and fondue can be an appetizer, a meal in itself, or a dessert. Types of fondue include: chocolate, butterscotch, eggnog, cheese, cream, and broth fondues. Each type has the same basic idea: prepare a sauce, put it in the fondue pot over heat to keep warm, prepare some foods for dipping, dip the foods in the sauce, and enjoy! I have an entire cookbook devoted to different fondue recipes.

Fondues are very fun, but some safety precautions need to be taken, as heat and open flames are involved. Traditional fondue meals also follow a certain etiquette. 

1. No double dipping
2. Don't use your fingers to dip
3. Each guest should have two forks: one for dipping, and the other for taking the food off of that fork and eating with
4. The fondue pot should be safely placed on a sturdy surface, within easy reach of all guests, and away from any materials that may catch fire
5. It is said that if you drop a piece of food in the fondue pot, you must kiss someone at the table

Here is a chocolate fondue I prepared for Easter. I used a bunny-shaped cookie cutter to make a dipping pool of chocolate fondue on everyone's plate, with little candies for the eyes and noses. The dippers here include: apple, banana, strawberries, cereal treats, and cookies.