We hope you’ve been enjoying our date night ideas as much as we’ve been enjoying the fall weather in Northern Georgia. It’s amazing how much more inspired one can be to write about this beautiful time of year when it really is beauty you’re beholding. 🙂

Fall Date #5

Sweet and Savory Fondues for Two

To start off plan an evening where you can both be involved with the preparations. The scents of these delicious recipes will certainly get your appetite going, and when you finally sit down to a candle-lit fondue all your senses will be on board for this delectable date. What so fun about fondue is the ability to feed each other while having a casual conversation. Fondues are about slowing down and enjoying every single bite!

Cheddar and Apple Cider Fondue (Savory)

Photo Credit: Food Network

Ingredients:

• 8 ozs. Fresh Apple Cider
• 3/4 c. vegetable or chicken broth
• 2 T. Worcestershire Sauce
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 8 ozs. Gruyere Cheese
• 8 ozs. Sharp Cheddar Cheese
• 3 T. Corn Starch
• 1/8 t. Cayenne Pepper
• Salt, dash
• 1 T. Bourbon, Whiskey or Apple Jack, opt.

Fondue Dippers:

Chicken, Apple Sausage, Chorizo, Mini Hot Dogs, Baguette slices, Roasted Shallots, Roasted Mushrooms, small fingerling potatoes, pretzels

Directions:

Heat cider, broth, Worcestershire, and garlic in a medium pot over medium heat and simmer for 5 minutes.

Toss the cheeses together in a medium bowl. Sift the corn starch over the cheese, and toss to coat lightly.

Using a wooden spoon, sprinkle some cheese mixture into the warm liquid and continue to stir in small amounts of cheese until it is all incorporated and the fondue is smooth and melted, about 15 minutes. Stir in cayenne, salt and Bourbon, if using.

Transfer to a fondue pot or double boiler and serve with desired dippers.

Yield: 3 cups (Recipe source that I tweaked from the Food Network)

Caramel Fondue With Fall Fruit (Sweet)

Photo and Recipe Credit: Yumsugar.com

Ingredients:

• 4 1/2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 cup corn syrup
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• Splash vanilla extract
• 3 apples cut into slices
• 3 pears cut into slices
• 1 banana, cut into slices, if desired
• 1 lemon

Directions:

• Juice lemon over cut apples to prevent browning.
• Melt first 5 ingredients in a saucepan. Boil for approximately 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat. Stir in cream and vanilla.
• Place sauce in bowl or fondue set. Serve immediately with freshly cut fruit.

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This is post #5 in the CMBA 1/2 Marathon Blogging Challenge 

to post for 13 days in October.