How To Cook Hot Oil Fondue

Have you ever sat around a pot of hot oil with a fork in your
hand and a plate of raw meat in front of you? Reading this
article may give you the urge to do just that.

Hot Oil Fondue or Fondue Bourguignon consists of cooking meat
in a pot of hot oil that sits directly on the table. Several
choices of dipping sauces are usually available as well. Like
cheese fondue, oil fondue is a great choice to serve for an
intimate dinner or for a few friends. Fondue allows the host to
be present at the dinning table and to enjoy the company of the
guests instead of running back and forth to the kitchen.

The key to enjoying oil fondue is preparation. Lean cuts of
meat such as beef tenderloin, pork cutlets or boneless chicken
breast can be cut into bite sized pieces in advance and stored
in the fridge. Just be sure to give the raw chicken it’s own
plate to avoid any kind of salmonella contamination.

At least three dipping sauces should be prepared for hot oil
fondue. If you’re really ambitious, choose up to 5 dipping
sauces to go along with several types of meat. For example if
cooking chicken pieces, then you could choose teriyaki sauce,
satay sauce, spicy buffalo sauce or sweet and sour sauce. You
may want to give each guest their own set of sauces if you are
worried about double dipping.

Peanut oil, grape seed oil or clarified butter are used because
they have a high smoke point. That means that they can withstand
a high temperature without igniting. Depending on the size of
your fondue pot, you will probably need about a quart or two.

Traditionally oil fondues have been prepared in metal fondue
pots. A ceramic pot should be avoided because it could crack
under high temperatures. The oil needs to be heated to 325-350
degrees. If your fondue pot is the kind with a candle then
you’re out of luck. You’ll need a heating element in order to
maintain a constant temperature. Today’s Electric fondue pots
are more versatile than the old metal pots and can be used to
cook cheese, oil, broth & dessert fondues. The electric fondue
pots will include a temperature dial that makes it easy to
maintain the proper temperature. Just dial it in and leave it.
The newest fondue pots are also dishwasher safe, so cleanup is
a breeze.

Basic Hot Oil Fondue (Fondue Bourguignon)
Fill 2/3 of fondue pot with Peanut Oil (or Grape seed Oil or
Clarified Butter)
Heat oil to 325-350 degrees

Safety Tips:
Do not use a ceramic or stoneware pot
Let food cool before eating
Never move a fondue pot filled with hot oil

To Dip:
Lean Cuts of Meat – bite sized pieces (beef tenderloin, pork
cutlets, chicken breast, etc)
Vegetables - Broccoli, Cauliflower, Peppers, etc.

Dipping Sauces:
Sweet & Sour Sauce, Thai Peanut Sauce, Teriyaki Sauce

If you’ve already tried cheese and chocolate, then you’re ready
for the next step in fondue. Hot Oil fondue is a delicious way
to spend an evening with friends or family.

About The Author: Anthony Tripodi is the webmaster of
GoFondue.com - The Home of Fondue. For more information about
fondue including recipes, ideas and equipment, visit
http://www.gofondue.com