Welcome to the newest version of Come On Over, Food52 editorial director Julie Vadnal’s e-newsletter that is all about internet hosting gatherings massive and small—with out dropping your cool. Acquired firm? Join right here for her emails.
Probably the most vitality my husband and I can ever muster up for Valentine’s Day normally 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 like it. This yr, we would 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 referred to as Massive Night time, taught me all the things I find out about what to pair with cheese fondue, from boiled potatoes to radishes to hunks of sourdough, and even grapes. Ask your mates to every convey a meals they’d wish to dunk in cheese. But additionally, we’ve got concepts.
3. The ’70s Are Again
Photograph by Rocky Luten
After all you possibly can use an enameled forged iron pot and convey it to the desk, however I want I’d registered for this fondue pot after I bought married. It comes with a burner, 4 prongs, and a ceramic pot which you could put within the dishwasher when the social gathering’s over. (I can’t say that for my dad and mom’ one from the ’70s!)
4. Bubble Up
Photograph by Ty Mecham
Wealthy cheese goes completely with one thing bubbly, which I prefer to serve in coupes that come within the coloration of affection. Aww.
5. Maintain Dessert Easy
Photograph by Elvin Abril
A heaping bowl of strawberries—really, make it overflow—is the proper dramatic ending to a fondue evening. It couldn’t be simpler to place collectively, although I don’t suppose anybody would complain in case you hand-whipped some cream to go along with it.
6. For the Day After
Let’s think about a world through which you’ve 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 also can cost your telephone or wi-fi earbuds.
How are you internet hosting for Valentine’s Day? I would love to listen to your plans within the feedback!
