Reheating cheese fondue | Your Mama’s Secret Revealed

You can reheat cheese fondue without losing its original flavor. Use a double boiler, stove, and microwave. Avoid reheating it multiple times as that causes the cheese to curdle or the chocolate burnt.

Use cornstarch as an emulsifier, preventing the cheese from separating during the melting process. There are different methods that you can try out and choose the best. Work with one convenient and efficient to you and follow the instructions.

Microwave 

Reheating a cheese fondue using a microwave is the fastest method. It is quick, but keep an eye on the temperature. The chances of it burning are higher than when using other methods. Be careful as you might overheat your cheese fondue, causing your dip to separate, making it inedible.

Steps

1. Remove the lid from the plastic container and microwave for 30 seconds.
2. Remove from the microwave and stir fondue. 
3. Return to the microwave and continue reheating in 30-second increments until the fondue is heated. Stir to give your dish smooth consistency.
4. If your fondue does not form a thick sauce with consistency, add 1 – 2 teaspoons of hot water to the fondue. Microwave for an additional 30 seconds, and then stir.
5. Enjoy immediately.

Stove Top

For this method, you only need a pot or pan and milk. Do not keep it on the stove for a long time, as the fondue will start sticking to the bottom of the pot. Keep the heat low to avoid overcooking (Greatist.com). Reheating on the stovetop is a better way to return the cheese fondue close to its original texture, although it cannot be the same as the original taste.

Steps

1. Start by placing a non-stick pan on a kitchen hob over medium heat. 
2. Add a knob of butter to the pan and milk or cream. Let it heat up.
3. Once the milk or cream is heated, add the leftover cheese fondue to the pan and keep stirring.
4. Reduce the flame to low once the fondue starts boiling.
5. If you stop mixing the cheese fondue, you can overcook the cheese, leaving lumps in the fondue.
6. Once done, take it off the stovetop and serve it in a bowl.

Double Boiler

A double boiler consists of two pots. A bigger one is similar to a saucepan, while another is a shallow saucepan that sits inside the big pan.

The double boiler method gives you enough time to control the temperature of the boiling water and the amount of time you reheat the fondue. The process requires time and patience. However, it is an ideal method if you are in a hurry. 

Fondue is delicate, and reheating it on direct heat can cause it to separate. That is why you should use a double boiler. When you do not have a double boiler, improvise by making your own using a stainless steel bowl or glass bowl and place it on top of a saucepan.

Steps

1. Use a deep pot and fill it halfway with water.
2. Let the water come to a boil. Add a glass bowl on top of the pot, making sure the boiling water is not touching the bottom of the glass bowl.
3. Add your leftover cheese or chocolate fondue to the glass bowl and mix it with a spatula so that it does not stick to the bottom of the glass bowl. The heat from the water helps to melt the fondue.
4. Mix and fold the fondue until it becomes liquid and achieves a smooth texture. As you reheat the fondue, check the pot. If the water evaporates too fast, add more water so the fondue can reheat. The fondue should not boil because it can start to separate. When the fondue is reheated, serve it while hot for the best taste.
5. Once heated, you can pour the cheese over nachos or veggies or reuse it in your fountain.

Storage

Store your cheese fondue in the fridge for a few days in a sealed container. Make sure it is cold before refrigerating. Food that has been cooked should be cooled instantly to prevent the growth of bacteria. Leftover fondue can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

If you put hot food directly into the fridge after cooking, you will cause the fridge temperature to increase above five °C (Dofoodsafely.health.vic.goc). Wait until it is cold and hard, then cut into chunks and freeze in sealed plastic bags. Remove as much air from the bag as possible. You can enjoy the cheese fondue for up to three months. 

Safe Temperatures

Use an instant-read thermometer. Measure the temperature from 140 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Exceeding the heating time will give you overcooked or burnt cheese. Keep your eye on it so that you will notice any mishaps. 

FAQs

How can I use leftover fondue?

You can reuse the leftover fondue as a spread, on ice creams, like grilled cheese, or even as a salad dressing. Fondue does not cook food, but it acts as a dip. Make sure the foods that you use are cooked.

Why does cheese fondue separate?

When cheese fondue is melted, the ingredients break up evenly, creating a smooth consistency. However, when it comes into contact with water, no matter the amount, the dry particles become moist and begin to stick together, forming a rough paste.

How do you loosen up Cheese fondue?

If the fondue has been over-cooked and the cheese is turning into lumps, add a teaspoon or two of lemon juice to restore the texture. Add corn starch if the cheese has split and looks greasy but not lumpy. That is to re-emulsify the mixture.

How do you keep cheese fondue from clumping?

Add acid. Some acid in the mix binds to the calcium and dilutes, preventing the proteins from clumping up.