What is the difference between fondue and cheese sauce? And do both need to be kept warm to be remain melted?

What is the difference between fondue and cheese sauce? And do both need to be kept warm to be remain melted? - Top view of wooden cutting board with fresh cucumber slices and black bread loafs with soft tofu cheese near dry seaweed and crunchy pistachios near pineapple guava

I like KFC style cheese sauce that is (optionally) served with breaded chicken. And now, at Christmas, I found that a kitchen appliance labeled "raclette and fondue" is at discount. But I made mistakes before and I bought things I do not need because I was not informed. Is a fondue appliance necessary to keep cheese sauce melted? Or will the cheese sauce remain spreadable even if left to become cold? In other terms, can I make cheese sauce with a regular pan and serve it hours later, or do I need something to keep it warm?



Best Answer

To address your title question.:

What is the difference between fondue and cheese sauce

Fondue is typically made with Gruyère cheese, and generally (though not always) is made with wine. Some varieties are also made with some Emmental and/or other cheeses of Swiss origin.

Cheese sauce, on the other hand, is typically made with Cheddar cheese.

do both need to be kept warm to be remain melted?

A fondue warmer is more due to the food being a warm cheesy dipping sauce rather than it simply becoming "too hard" to spread.

Is a fondue appliance necessary to keep cheese sauce melted? Or will the cheese sauce remain spreadable even if left to become cold?

Commercially available Nacho Cheese Sauce is spreadable and does not need a warmer, and depending on the consistency of your sauce when cool/cold this will also be true for yours.

can I make cheese sauce with a regular pan and serve it hours later?

A fondue pot is not necessary to make cheese sauce, so yes you could make it in a pan. You could then allow it to cool, then refrigerate until prior to needing it, then reheat it (so it is not so cold) to the desired temperature and serve without needing a warmer, however its consistency, as already mentioned, will be the deciding factor if you think the warmer will be needed to prevent it from becoming too thick before it is consumed.




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How do you keep fondue warm?

Ideally, all chocolate and dessert fondues should be melted on the top of a double boiler, never over direct heat, before being placed into the fondue pot for serving. A small amount of heat is required to keep dessert fondue warm in the fondue pot, it is best to use a candle.

What temperature should cheese fondue be?

If you're able to measure the temperature, it should be around 140 for 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Fourthly, the acid in the wine is very important because the tartaric acid also helps keep the cheese proteins from breaking down and prevent clumping.

How do you keep melted cheese warm?

There are warmers that you can use to get this done, but you could also use a simple slow cooker that is set to a low-temperature setting. You just need to keep the cheese hot enough so that it will maintain its melted form without going overboard.

Do you store cheese sauce in the fridge?

Refrigerate cheese sauce in a covered container As the sauce cools down, put it in a covered container then refrigerate. If done properly, the cheese sauce can last for up to 2-4 days in the fridge. When you are ready to use it, just reheat it.



Cheese Fondue | Basics with Babish




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