Melt Cheese (and Hearts) With This Camping Fondue Recipe
Many couples choose to celebrate Valentine's Day by making reservations at an exclusive spot and gazing into each other's eyes over a decadent meal for two. Depending on your preferred level of activity (and where you live in the country), that spot may be a swanky restaurant filled with other lovestruck pairs, or it may be a campsite filled with little more than the sound of crickets and other night noises.
You can't beat the woods for ambiance, and firelight is especially flattering.
The downside to camping for Valentine's Day, a lack of someone else to cook for you and clean up afterward, can actually be a positive thing, as it allows you to show off your culinary talents, as well as your willingness to roll up your sleeves and get to work when elbow grease is called for. How practical and romantic!
Given that you're already willing to do the washing up, why not go all out and whip up something that will require some extra time with the scrub brush, but will certainly stand out as a memorable meal for an outdoorsy date. Whether you're 'just good friends' or are without a doubt each other's one-and-only true love, this meal will allow you to set whatever mood you want. It's a shared dish, so it can be set between two people at a table or enjoyed from directly over the still crackling campfire by a pair huddled together under a blanket.
The main star here is cheese, so this one is a must for dairy fans. Camping fondue is also very versatile, as you can bring a variety of tidbits for dipping: bread, fruits, vegetables, meats – whatever sounds good (or whatever you have on hand in the fridge in the week before Valentine's Day).
CAMPING FONDUE
WHAT YOU NEED:
Ingredients
3/4 cup Fontina cheese (remove rind a cut into cubes)
1/4 cup Cambazola or other soft bleu cheese (cut into cubes)
1/2 tsp finely chopped rosemary
juice from 1/4 lemon
salt and pepper
chosen foods to dip
Equipment
Small cast iron skillet
Heavy-duty aluminum foil (for easier cleanup)
THE COOKING:
Line the small cast iron skillet with foil, if you so choose. This step makes the inevitable post-meal washing up a whole lot easier.
Scatter cubed cheeses into the skillet. Sprinkle rosemary on top. Add salt and pepper to taste
.
Cover with foil or a lid and place over hot coals or a camp stove until cheeses are melted. (This may take 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the chosen heat source.)
When cheese is ready, serve along with cubes of crusty bread, sausages, apple slices or cubes, or vegetables. (Par-cooked broccoli or cauliflower florets work well.) The various bits and pieces can be speared on the ends of long forks and dipped, or picked up and used to scoop cheese directly. Just watch your fingers!
Remember, according to fondue tradition, if someone drops some food into the cheese, he or she has to kiss the person sitting one seat over (quite convenient, especially if there are only two of you).
Some people go crazy for Valentine's Day, while others would prefer to ignore that it exists at all. Even if you don't go in for all of the hearts-and-flowers of Feb. 14, you can keep this camping recipe ready for when you need a romantic meal, no matter what day it is.