How We "Fon-do" It

A Christmas tradition in the Albright family has been spending an elongated evening meal around a fondue pot at some point during the Christmas season.  Sarah has adapted this unique meal to be a regular evening of enternaining in her home.

My husband and I have often had people in our home to get to know them better.  We've been in the ministry as a married couple for 9 years now and have always enjoyed the depth a relationship takes when you invite someone into your private living quarters.  If you think about it, it's humbling to give your new friends a tour of your home, the place where so much of your life happens!  And, of course, these evenings would not be complete without dinner.  Now my husband and I usually have a "game plan" for any evening we have friends over, new or old.  We talk about who is going to prepare what part of the meal, who will be at the door to welcome our guests and who will take everyone on a tour.  We plan the meu, the grocery list, the timing of the meal, the table set up, and even do the grocery shopping together to make sure we don't forget anything!  We've had a lot of successful evenings and several not-so-smoothly-run evenings.  But one dinner we have been able to successfully pull off each time we do it is . . . fondue.  This idea came to my husband when he remembered his mom making this a Christmas time meal that their family would enjoy when he was growing up.  Fondue (as we do it) is a pot of hot oil in the center of the table.  Each person has a color-coded fondue fork on which to cook meat in the hot oil.  It really is a perfect meal for guests, although it may sound a little intimidating at first.  Let me tell you how we "fon-do" it!

We usually invite 3 other couples (sometimes kids come, but mostly not, because it can be a little dangerous with hot oil on the table, so use discretion) and ask 2 of the couples to bring a side dish such as mashed potatoes and salad.  Then we ask the third couple to bring a few foods they'd like to dip in chocolate.  We then plan on providing the meat, fondue pot and forks, chocolate sauce, and any extras like punch to drink or a few more goodies for the chocolate fondue.  We also plan to have the table set up with access to an electrical outlet.


We prepare sirloin steak the morning of the meal by cutting it into cubes and marinating it in Mom's special marinade (see recipe below).  This goes in the fridge for the entire day.


Then a few hours before our friends arrive, we set up the table, make the punch, and cut up any fruit or foods for the chocolate.

When our friends arrive, dinner can be served as soon as you want it to be.  Our favorite part of this meal, is that you and your guests do the cooking for yourselves while you are eating.  While you wait for your meat to cook, you and your guests can enjoy the sides as well as relaxing conversation.


After the oil has cooled and everyone has let their dinner settle, we clean out the fondue pot and get ready for dessert.  While we get the cocolate sauce warmed up in the pot, we set out plates and bowls full of all the yummy foods to dip.  We sit down once again, and enjoy another round of fellowship as well as delicious serve-yourself dessert.


We love this dinner for many reasons.  It has sentimental value.  It brings friends together in a warm, comfortable place.  It is simple to prepare and plan for.  And it allows the host and hostess the opportunity to relax and enjoy their company.


Grace's Fondue Marinade
This recipe covers 1 1/2 - 2 lbs. of sirloin steak, cubed

Place ingredients in a gallon-sized plastic storage bag:
1/2 c. soy sauce
2 Tbsp brown sugar
3 Tbsp oil
1 tsp ginger
1 1/2 tsp minced garlic
dash of black pepper


Add meat to the storage bag and lay flat in refrigerator making sure the meat is completely covered by the marinade.  Occassionally flip bags of meat throughout the day for better coverage.


Mustard Dipping Sauce
For cooked beef fondue


1/4 c. prepared mustard
1/4 c. mayonaise
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1-2 drops hot sauce