FONDUE WITH DUTCH CHEESES

INGREDIENTS

• 450 g Edam or Gouda cheese, grated
• 150 ml dry white wine
• 1 clove of garlic, crushed
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley
• 2 tbsp sherry
• 1 tbsp cornflour
• pinch of paprika
• pinch of chili pepper
• French bread cubes for serving.

1) Place wine, garlic, parsley and lemon juice in the fondue pot or a small saucepan, stir and add the grated cheese.

2) Place the pot or saucepan on the hob at a LOW heat and cook until the cheese melts, stirring occasionally.

3) Mix cornflour with sherry to make a smooth paste in a small bowl. Add paprika and chili pepper.

4) Stir in the cornflour mixture into the pot with the cheese.Stir and take off the heat when it begins to bubble.

5) Serve immediately with cubes of french bread.

NOT: Slow cooking gives the best result in fondue making. If it is on high heat the fondue will be spoiled.

Some other cheeses which are good for melting and making fondue are: Emmental, Gruyere, Parmesan, Cheddar, blue cheeses and Camembert.

MULLED WINE WITH SPICED NUTS ( SICAK SARAP VE BAHARATLI CEREZ )

Hi all, with  Christmas just round the corner , I thought I share some of my quick and easy to do Xmas recipes, with you all. I hope you like them. This serves 10.

YOU NEED

• 1 litre red wine
• 4tbsp soft brown sugar
• 250 ml boiling water
• 1 orange
• Half a lemon, sliced
• 15-20 cloves
• 5-6 cardamoms
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 5cm fresh ginger piece
• dash of brandy

First cut the orange in half. Spear one half with cloves and slice the other half. In a large pan mix red wine, brown sugar,boiling water  orange, lemon slices, cardamoms, cinnamon stick and ginger and mix. Cover and let it rest for 30 to 60 minutes. Take the cover off and heat the wine gently until it is hot for about 5-7 minutes.  DO NOT BOIL. Divide the wine into glasses and serve it with roasted spicy nuts. 

TIP: Add a dash of brandy for extra warmth.

NOTE: Place a metal teaspoon to each wine glass to prevent it cracking.

SPICED ROASTED NUTS

• 25 g butter
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp chilli powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 50 g peanuts
• 50 g hazelnuts
• 50 g cashew nuts
• 50 g almonds

Place the butter in a non stick frying pan. Add the spices and salt to melted butter. Add nuts and mix well. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring. Cool on kitchen paper and serve with Mulled Wine.