Chocolate Fondue

Compliments of William Sonoma. This, accompanied by a mimosa, made the perfect brunch today. It's important to maintain moderately low heat (no more than 120°F) under your fondue pot so the chocolate stays melted and just warm to the touch. Too much heat can ruin the chocolate. And make sure that the chafing pot is dry, as water will make your chocolate seize.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 8 oz. semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 pound cake, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 pints strawberries, rinsed and hulled

Directions:

1. Fill the fondue pot with 2 cups warm water and place the pot on the stand. Fill the fuel burner with oil according to the manufacturer's instructions and set it on the stand.
2. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, warm the cream until steam begins to rise, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the chocolate, and stir until melted, smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla and stir until blended. Pour the chocolate sauce into the porcelain insert and place the insert in the fondue pot. Set the splatter guard on the top.
3. Set the fondue pot on the table and light the fuel burner, following the manufacturers instructions. Serve with pound cake, strawberries and individually marked fondue forks for dipping.

• Serves 6.
  Adapted from The Fondue Cookbook, (Hamlyn, 1999).

Chocolate fondue

This recipe is awesome! Please maintain a low heat so that you do not scald or even burn the chocolate. Too much heat will ruin it, whether on or off the stove.

Ingredients
1/2 cup heavy dream
8 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped in food processor
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pound cake cut into 1 inch pieces
2 pints strawberries; rinsed, trimmed and cut in halves or quarters

Process

1. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, warm the steam until steam begins to rise.
   
2. Remove from heat and add the chocolate and stir until melted, smooth and creamy.
   
3. Add the vanilla and stir until blended. Sometimes I will put it back over medium heat if I think it needs a little extra umph.
   
4. Pour the chocolate sauce into your fondue pot and put over heat as directed.
   
5. Serve with pound cake and strawberries on individual fondue forks for dipping.