I never have an answer when someone asks me what my favorite food is. There are certainly things I love to eat, but I am hard pressed to say what my absolute favorite is. I like to go out to eat, but not necessarily to the big time, big name expensive restaurants. I do remember distinctly, growing up, a few special meals. There were meals that signified certain occasions or events or even just represented a celebratory mood. There was crown roast – big event, usually a holiday. A French restaurant in the city – not usually for any occasion but a family affair, time to act like a respectable human being. Fancy brunch in a hotel – special occasion or celebration. And then there was fondue. At home, not usually for any particular reason, but it certainly didn’t happen on just any old Tuesday, maybe it was over a holiday break or extended vacation period at home.
My son eats anything. Sushi? Why not! Indian food – sure. Hey, want to try some octopus? Abso-lutely.
My daughter. Not so much. Food can’t be touching and must be being in color. Possibly yellow. Occasionally orange. If it’s a month with a “Y” in it.
So I made fondue. Modified. No wine, I made a roux, added a lot of milk, stirred in Gruyere and cheddar. Weird consistency, so I whisked it a lot. It needed a ton of salt and pepper not to be bland. Frankly, regular cheese fondue with wine and kirsch is a ton better, but I knew that would never sell. We ate it with crusty bread, tomatoes, cauliflower, and green peppers. And by “we” I mean three of us. One of us ate a lot of bread and melty cheese.
Good times were had by all. So much, in fact, that I forgot to take a picture.
Until…dessert.
Then I remembered.
Melt chocolate – mostly semi-sweet, some milk, over a double boiler, add half and half or light cream until it’s a pourable consistency. Serve with fruit, cut up pound cake, and marshmallows. Give children Benadryl so they sleep.
