Southwest Fondue - Peppers, Onion, Sharp Cheese, & Beer give this fondue a TON of flavour. It's a colourful departure from the traditional!
Originally published July 20, 2009. Updated on 9/9/2021
I'm always down for a traditional fondue - gruyere cheese, some white one, garlic - simple and elegant.
Sometimes I like to get a bit more chaotic with it, and go for a wildly different fondue.
Peppers, Onion, Sharp Cheese, and Beer give *this* fondue a TON of flavour.
It's a colourful, fun departure from traditional fondues!
What to Serve with Southwest Fondue
Bread
Bread is definitely the most traditional accompaniment for fondue.
I like to use bread that’s crusty on the outside and softer on the inside. The crust gives it a bit of heft, and the soft is a nice base for the cheese to stick to.
Try a baguette, Italian loaf, sourdough boule, etc.
Pita or naan can be another great option.
In Canada, the President’s Choice brand has mini Naan product for dipping.
Super cute, and works well for fondue!
Fruits & Vegetables
A variety of fruits and vegetables are great with fondue. Some are better raw, some better cooked, and some go either way!
Aside from potatoes, don’t cook the veggies til soft - you want a bit of crunch left!
Apples: Raw, sliced
Asparagus: Lightly cooked
Baby or Fingerling Potatoes: Roasted or boiled.
Broccoli: Raw or lightly steamed
Cauliflower: Raw or lightly steamed
Green beans: Lightly steamed
Pears: Raw, sliced
Zucchini: Raw
Chips
Not in the mood for such a formal service? Set it out with tortilla chips as a hot cheese dip!
Fritos also work great!
How to Make Southwest Fondue
Full recipe follows, here is a pictorial overview.
In a large bowl, toss grated cheese with cornstarch. Set aside.
Seed and chop peppers, peel and chop onions. Peel and press or mince the garlic.
Put peppers, onion, and garlic, in food processor or blender, and let it rip till finely chopped.
In a medium sized saucepan, cook pepper mixture in olive oil until vegetables soften and the resulting liquid has cooked out.
Add beer and lime juice, continue cooking until it starts to simmer.
Add a good sized handful of cheese to the pot, and mix well till it is completely melted in.
Add another big handful, and repeat until all the cheese is added, completely melted, and smooth (aside from the pepper bits, of course!)
Transfer to fondue pot if desired, and serve with cubes of bread, tortilla chips, blanched broccoli, cauliflower, and asparagus, and slices of apples and pears.
Cheese Recipes
Are you a wild cheese freak like us? We've some recipes for you!
Brie en Croute
Easy Cheese Souffle
Grilled Halloumi Salad with Peaches & Figs
Heart Shaped Beer Pretzels with Jalapeno Jack Dip
Hot Cheeseburger Dip
How to Make Fromage Fort
How to Make Proper Queso
Jalapeno Artichoke Cheese Dip
Jalapeno Popper Dip
Paneer Burgers
Smoked Cheese Balls
Smoked Jalapeno Poppers
The One Cheese Ring
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Southwest Fondue
Equipment
- Fondue Set, Optional
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- 2 tablespoon Cornstarch
- 1 Red Bell Pepper
- 1 Orange Bell Pepper
- 1 Yellow Bell Pepper
- 1 Jalapeno Pepper
- 1 Fresno Pepper
- 6 Garlic cloves
- 1 Small Onion
- 1 Cup Mexican Beer Like Corona
- 1 tablespoon Lime Juice
Instructions
- In a large bowl, toss grated cheese with cornstarch. Set aside.
- Seed and chop peppers, peel and chop onions. Peel and press or mince the garlic.
- Put peppers, onion, and garlic, in food processor or blender, and let it rip till finely chopped.
- In a medium sized saucepan, cook pepper mixture in olive oil until vegetables soften and the resulting liquid has cooked out.
- Add beer and lime juice, continue cooking until it starts to simmer.
- Add a good sized handful of cheese to the pot, and mix well till it is completely melted in.
- Add another big handful, and repeat until all the cheese is added, completely melted, and smooth (aside from the pepper bits, of course!)
- Transfer to fondue pot if desired, and serve with cubes of bread, tortilla chips, blanched broccoli, cauliflower, and asparagus, and slices of apples and pears.
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