Valentine's Day Treats: Easy Chocolate Fondue

I think Fondue should be called Fun-due because what's not fun about dipping stuff in melted chocolate? It's simple, romantic, indulgent, and delightful... all on a stick! Well, on a skewer. But the point is that in less than 15 minutes, you can create a quick and elegant party for two (or twenty) that looks as gorgeous as it tastes. 

Prep all of your dippers; almost anything tastes good in chocolate. Suggestions: strawberries, pineapple chunks, marshmallows, cookies, pretzels, apple slices, bananas, biscotti, orange sections, and graham crackers. I like to put some on skewers to create a little sculpture. Then place the remaining ingredients on a platter or in bowls.

Photos: Arden PhotographyEasy Chocolate Fondue

1 cup whipping cream

3 semi-sweet chocolate bars (4 ounces each) chopped (I like to mix in some bittersweet also)

2 tablespoons of your favorite liqueur* (I like hazelnut, orange, raspberry, or coffee)

*Substitute 2 tablespoons strong coffee OR simply add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla if you don't want to use liqueur.

Add the chocolate to a heat-proof bowl over a double boiler (a heat-proof bowl placed over a simmering pot of water) Keep the water simmering, not boiling as not to burn the chocolate. As the chocolate begins to melt, stir in the whipping cream, a little at a time. After it is incorporated, stir in the liqueur.

Transfer to a fondue pot if you have one, If you don't use a heat-proof dish (like Pyrex) with a tea light or votive candle under the dish to keep the chocolate melted. A dish that is not heat-proof, such as porcelain or ceramic will crack.

NOTE: The dish will get very hot so make sure the candle is not too close to the dish and take extreme care when handling!!

Update on Friday, February 11, 2011 at 9:11PM by Martie Duncan

Jodie on Facebook asked about white chocolate fondue. Make it the same way. Just sub chopped white chocolate for the dark chocolate.

Valentine's Day Party Ideas for Singles or Couples: Host a Wine Find!

Do you have a mix of singles and couples you’d like to celebrate Valentine’s Day with this year? Select a party theme that doesn’t necessarily require any partnering or couple-oriented activities. Instead, select something that can be fun for all... Host a Wine Find!

Photo: Arden Photography 

A “Wine Find” is always lots of fun. You know how everyone just loves to introduce a good, inexpensive and interesting wine to their friends--- "I found this amazing red from just outside Burgundy and it was only $12.99!"  Well, you can turn the quest for a great, inexpensive bottle of wine into an inexpensive party theme. Here's how:

Ask each guest to bring their favorite "cheap" wine  along with a simple food pairing and tasting notes for the wine. You can usually find these at the store or online. Set a price limit if you want to really challenge your guests... say, nothing over $15 per bottle.  

Award prizes for the winners with the best white, red and sparkling wines with one special prize for the overall winner.

Photo: Arden PhotographyNeed prize ideas? Boxes of nice chocolates, wine accessories, a really good bottle of good bubbly, gift cards to a favorite wine shop or book store, or movie tickets are always a good bet. Hope you and yours celebrate the day that celebrates love with lots of fun and laughter!

For a variation on this party theme, watch my Host a Wine Around the World Party video or read the how-to and take your party to a whole new destination!

Host an Oscar Night Party

After weeks of bowl games and playoffs, aren’t you in the mood for something different? Get out of those sweats and off of that couch, step away from the clicker and get ready to bust up those winter blues with your own red carpet party!

The Academy Awards nominations are out (get the nominations) and the race is on as Hollywood gears up for its big night. You  can go all glitz and glam or keep it movie night casual; either mood is easy to create.

For a sophisticated soiree, roll out a real red carpet and ask guests to dress up. Everyone has a formal gown hiding in back of the closet to wear; even an old bridesmaid gown can fit the bill. Guys can dust off and wear a tuxedo in old Hollywood style or rock an indie vibe with their own unique look. 

INVITATIONS

Send out invitations with a red carpet, Hollywood, or movie ticket theme. Weigh and check the dimensions of your invitation to make sure you have sufficient postage before mailing. Include an RSVP to get an accurate head count for food and beverages. An evite is also perfectly acceptable.

DECORATIONS

Rent a red carpet and velvet rope to line your entrance. This isn’t expensive and adds an authentic touch to your décor. Party stores including our online fav, Oriental Trading Company, have a cheap faux red carpet and all of the Hollywood props you'll need to set the mood.

FOOD AND BEVERAGES

Keep the food California casual and easy to eat. If you aren’t up to cooking, serve Wolfgang Puck cuisine... his soup and pizza is available at your local grocery. Just make the presentation "Wolfgang style" by serving food on white platters and  cut everything in the same shape. Or, you can use a pretty glass or martini glass to serve your food. That's a signature Puck move. Try this Shrimp Martini with Napa Cabbage Slaw. It's a showstopper.

Serve a signature cocktail to make bartending easyFor cocktails, create a signature cocktail to match your color scheme. Pre-mix to make serving easy but don’t add ice to the pitcher; it dilutes the mix. Serving rows of drinks in one color makes serving easy and is a stylish presentation.

For an elegant party, chocolate fondue with fruit dippers is a great choice.

For a casual party, have movie-style boxes of gourmet popcorn, Junior Mints, Milk Duds, and other movie theatre candy for guests to nibble on while watching the show.

Another elegant idea for an Oscar party is a Champagne tasting. Be sure to serve plenty of food, though. You don't want guests to go home hungry. Our Champagne & Chevre party would be absolutely perfect for Oscar night!

Print ballots directly from the Oscar site so guests can vote.

A candy bar with movie candy is easy to set up and guests love it!ENTERTAINMENT

Before the show starts, ask guests to fill out their own ballots and predict their winners. Award guests with the most winners prizes like movie tickets, DVD’s of current movies, or online movie rental gift cards.

What red carpet party would be complete without swag? Assemble a fun gift bag to give your guests; chocolates, small bottles of liqueur, and note cards, and free movie rental cards are all inexpensive tems for your party swag! Read all about the Academy Awards on their official website.

Make your party casual or elegant... the style is up to you!

Easy Entertaining: Host a Champagne & Chevre Party

Many of you know of my love of cheese and of Champagne. I have just learned that my two loves pair perfectly! Champagne or sparkling wine pairs so nicely with goat cheese that we built an entire party around it! This party theme would be perfect for New Year's, for a bridal shower, a girls' night in party, or just a glorious way to spend the evening... grazing through different goat cheese and wine pairings. Here's all you need:

All Photos by Arden PhotographyFirst, the Chevre (goat cheese). We selected several types from Belle Chevre:  

Belle and the Bees Spreadable Chevre (flavored with honey)

Fig Breakfast Chevre

Montrachet Style Goat Cheese

Greek Kiss

Next, the accompaniments:

Quince Spread (or Dulce de Membrillo, quince paste from Spain)

Fig Spread

Olive and Sinclair Cinnamon Chili Chocolate

Marinated Artichoke Hearts

Assorted Olives 

Honey

Proscuitto (Italian cured ham)

Fresh baguette loaf (or other fresh bread)

Chambord Champagne Cocktail in Villeroy & Boch Allegorie FlutesAnd last but by no means, least, the bubbly:

We tried a reasonably priced French Champagne and loved it with the Chevre and with the chocolate. Champagne Aubry Brut Jouy-Les-Reims Premier Cru ($35) was on special at Whole Foods and was as nice as any $50 bottle of bubbly with more recognizable names. Try it! We tried this Champagne with two tablespoons creme de cassis, a blackcurrant liqueur and it was wonderful.

Here's a list of Champagne and sparkling wine options at every price range.

Best Combinations

Cut the baguette into thin slices. Spread the honey chevre and grate it some of the chocolate over the top and broil until it becomes melty. Divine!

Another good one- spread or crumble the goat cheese onto the bread, add proscuitto, olives, or artichoke hearts. Broil until cheese melts and bread is toasty. Yum. Like a mini-pizza.

Fig spread, goat cheese, proscuitto, and a drizzle of honey. Salty sweet deliciousness.

Mix and match, try your own concoctions and have a great time!

BELLE CHEVRE GOAT CHEESE IS PROUDLY PRODUCED IN THE GREAT STATE OF ALABAMA BY MY LOVELY FRIEND, CHEESEMAKER, FOODIE, and MyRecipes.com video host TASIA MALAKASIS.... get more great goat cheese recipes now. Watch her video!

ANOTHER SHOUT OUT TO A NEW FAVORITE: OLIVE & SINCLAIR CHOCOLATE IS SOUTHERN ARTISAN CHOCOLATE MADE BY HAND IN NASHVILLE. Sigh....:)

YOU CAN FIND MANY LOCALLY PRODUCED ITEMS AT YOUR LOCAL ORGANIC GROCER, FARMER'S MARKET OR AT WHOLE FOODS. PLEASE SUPPORT SMALL PRODUCERS OF BEAUTIFUL, YUMMY, FINE QUALITY PRODUCTS! 

Easy Entertaining: How to Have a Wine and Cheese Tasting

Images by Arden PhotographyWhen I have to whip up something fast for a party, there is nothing easier to put together than a cheese board--- who doesn’t love cheese! Pair the cheese with a couple of wine selections and you have an instant party! A wine and cheese tasting can serve as both food and entertainment. Guests will love discussing what wine pairs best with what cheese, debating the best wine for the price, and you will all love finding new favorites for your next get together. Try a mix of old favorites with new finds for both the wine and the cheese offerings.

For some reason, selecting cheese is almost as intimidating as selecting wine. Since both wine and cheese can be expensive, and because there are so many options, I think there is some fear of making a mistake. Have no fear. Most stores have experienced help to guide you and many will let you sample before making a purchase. For a “tasting”---which means sampling, I will have five different cheeses to try, depending on the size of the crowd which include:

1-Sheep’s milk cheese

1-Goat’s milk cheese

1-Cow’s milk cheese

1-Soft cheese like Brie

1-Bleu, Roquefort, Stilton, Camembert or other “smelly” cheese

The following are some of my tried and true parings:

Manchego/Spain This hard sheep’s milk cheese from La Mancha, Spain is always my first choice. Everyone loves it and it pairs nicely with Spanish almonds, olives, Serrano ham, or chorizo. Serve with a Spanish red wine like a tempranillo or tempranillo blend. Osbourne Solaz is very good and very affordable, usually under $10 a bottle. Another nice option is Atteca at around $15 per bottle.  

Goat Cheese/ Belle Chevre / Elkmont, Alabama I always serve goat cheese prepared in a recipe on my cheese board. Goat cheese with chopped toasted pecans is about as easy as it gets. Serve it in Belgian endive leaves; your guests will rave. Other serving options are pears, honey, and wild mushrooms but you can serve goat cheese with almost anything. Pinot Noir pairs well with ripe or aged goat cheese. Try the Kendall-Jackson Pinot Noir for about $12 or the Wild Horse Pinot Noir for about $18. More goat cheese recipes are available from Belle Chevre.  

Parmigiano Reggiano/ Italy Most people think this famous cow’s milk cheese is just for cooking or grated over pasta, but it is wonderful alone or with crusty bread, dipped in good balsamic vinegar, and with olives. It has a complex nutty flavor and dense, slightly grainy texture. I could almost eat my weight in it. Slightly salty, it pairs well with Prosecco, the Italian sparkling wine. Try Riondo, about $11 per bottle or serve with a medium bodied Italian red, like Chianti. Try Ruffino’s Chianti Classico Aziano (around $12.99) 

Saint Andre/ France This semi-soft, smooth triple cream cow’s milk cheese is also on every single cheese board I present. Very rich and creamy with a soft, buttery, almost spreadable texture, this cheese is best served with a fresh baguette and pear or apple slices. Sometimes, I serve it with fruit in place of a dessert course. Pair it with a sparkling wine or Champagne. Get the Krug if you have no budget; otherwise try Antech Blanquette de Limoux Grande Reserve, around $15.

 Bleu D’Auvergne/France Bleu cheese is strong in both taste and aroma. From the D’Auvergne region in the South of France, this bleu cow’s milk cheese features a deep blue veining throughout, like most bleu cheeses but possesses a creamier texture and softer taste than many other bleu cheeses. Sauternes or other sweet wines, like Muscat or Riesling pair nicely with bleu cheese. Try Torbreck the Bothie Muscat, around $16.99.

Presentation is everything for a wine and cheese party. A gorgeous selection of ripe fruit, crackers, French baguette, and other accompaniments look as good as they taste when they are artfully presented. Ask if the wine counter will give you the top of a wooden wine crate. Use it to serve your cheese board. Guests will love this unique idea, and you’ll love the price: free! You’ll want your guests to really taste and enjoy the wine, so use crystal wine glasses. Don’t be afraid to mix and match your patterns if you don’t have enough of one type. These Allegorie wine glasses are crafted specifically for serving wine. But many people prefer the modern trend of using a stemless glass for wine, like this Boston tumbler.

Because I always get calls after the party from someone asking for the name of “that cheese I loved” as they stand in front of the counter at the grocery store, I provide guests with a list as they are leaving. Try this party the next time you quick solution for entertaining. Your guests will love it.