Today's Kool Idea: Romantic Fondue Meal

Okay, if you haven't already made restaurant reservations for Valentine's Day, it's probably too late now, unless you have friends in high places of course. For those of us with only friends in low places, we have to do something quickly about this problem or we'll be right there with them. The Daily Kool has a very romantic, yet doable solution for you...fondue at home.

We at the Daily Kool love The Melting Pot...okay, we admit to even being members of the Melting Pot Club. Fondue is really that delicious. Our two favorite course are the yummy cheese appetizer and the decadent chocolate dessert...why not make a meal out of them? Here are two great recipes, courtesy of our favorite fondue restaurant:

Melting Pot Swiss Cheddar Fondue:
12 ounces beer
8 ounces Swiss cheese, shredded (we like Emmentaler and/or Gruyere)
4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/4 cup of flour
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon mustard powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
chunks of french, Italian and/or pumpernickel bread for dipping
chunks of red, green and/or yellow apples for dipping
cut up carrots, cauliflower and celery (or any veggies of your choosing) for dipping

1. Mix cheese with flour....this is very important for a smooth consistency!
2. Heat beer in fondue pot until steaming.
3. Add Worcestershire, garlic, mustard and pepper; mix well.
4. Add cheese, a little at a time, stirring until melted before adding more, until you have a smooth, dippable cheese fondue.

If you don't have a fondue pot, don't panic! This recipe works just as well if you make it in a pot on the stove top over low heat. You can then transfer it to a crock pot (set on low) to keep it warm while eating. Okay, here's a chocolate fondue recipe:

The Melting Pot Restaurant Flaming Turtle Fondue

2 ounces melted milk chocolate
2 ounces caramel syrup
1 ounce chopped pecans
1/3 ounce 151 rum (may substitute with other flambe liquor

assorted fruits, marshmallows, cheesecake, brownies, etc. for dipping

1. Using a double boiler fondue pot, heat mixture of chocolate and caramel to a temperature no greater than 135 degrees F.
2. Stir frequently. (For thinner chocolate, slowly add whole milk while stirring until desired consistency is reached.).
3. Slowly pour rum into fondue pot.
4. Ignite liquor by touching lighted match to edge of pot.* After flame burns, sprinkle nuts over chocolate mixture.

*Please note: Cooking or flambeing with an open flame should be done with great care and adult supervision.

To make this a truly memorable meal, prepare to eat this picnic style on the floor. Surround the area with beautiful flowers, candles (flameless ones, if you can get them) and soft music in the background. Arrange some throw pillows for added comfort, and snuggle with your Valentine in front of the pot while you enjoy a meal that's guaranteed to impress!