Ready for the ultimate comfort food? Cheesetique owner Jill Erber offers a Fon-Due It Yourself kit that allows you to make those bubbling pots of cheesy goodness at home. The kits come in two variations, each of which serves four to eight people. The Classic ($40) includes shredded Gruyere, Emmenthaler and Raclette, plus a bottle of white wine for cooking. Beer Me! ($30) includes shredded cheddar, Cotswold and a bottle of beer. (You don’t need to add all of the booze to the pot, so the rest is for the cook!). Available at all three Cheesetique locations in Shirlington, Ballston and Del Ray. cheesetique.com
The Classic
From Cheesetique:
½ pound shredded Gruyere
½ pound shredded Emmenthaler
¼ pound shredded Raclette
1 ¹/³ cup dry white wine
From your pantry:
2 teaspoons cornstarch
4 teaspoons lemon juice
One pinch each of black pepper and nutmeg
• Toss cheeses and cornstarch together.
• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, heat the white wine until hot, but not boiling. Stir in the lemon juice.
• Add the cheeses, stirring constantly, until the cheese is melted and the mixture resembles a light creamy sauce. Add the pepper and nutmeg.
• Bring to a simmer and pour into a serving dish, surrounded by little bites such as grapes, salami and crusty bread.
Beer Me!
From Cheesetique:
½ pound shredded cheddar
½ pound shredded Cotswold
1 cup beer
From your pantry:
1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 clove minced garlic
Hot sauce or spicy brown mustard, to taste (optional)
• Toss cheeses and cornstarch together.
• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring the beer to a simmer. Add the Worcestershire, garlic and hot sauce/mustard (if using).
• Add the cheeses slowly, whisking until melted and the mixture resembles a light creamy sauce.
• Bring to a simmer and pour into a serving dish. Serve with sliced green apples, pretzels, pumpernickel bread and/or sausage rounds.