Fondue has moved far beyond the classic Swiss party dish made by dipping bread cubes into a warm bath of melted Swiss cheese and wine. Today’s definition of fondue includes everything from Fondue Bourguignonne to Asian classics such as Mongolian Hot Pot and Japanese Sukiyaki. All of these cookbooks explore fondues from around the world, with a special focus on Asia.
1. Fondues from around the world, by Eva Klever and Ulrich Klever
Written in 1992, this book is still an excellent resource. The section on Asian broth fondues - entitled “Clear Favorites” – covers everything from a simple Chinese Fondue made by cooking beef in chicken broth and a fun Sweet and Sour fondue to classic Ten-in-One Firepot. Other Asian favorites include Vietnamese Firepot made with Nuoc mam fish sauce,and several variations on Japanese Sukiyaki. More than 200 recipes.
2. Fondue, by Petra Casparek, et al.
There are so many features that make this book stand out, from the color photographs of each fondue to the extensive introductory section covering dips, marinades, broths and batters. An added bonus is that the authors have included the exact amount of dippers needed for each fondue. This allows them to include a nutritional breakdown for each of the 95 recipes, complete with calorie, fat, and carbohydrate count per serving.3. The Fondue Cookbook, by Gina Steer
Not for the newcomer, this book is perfect for cooks seeking to expand their repertoire of ethnic fondue recipes. The introductory section is short - no cooking tips or suggestions on what pot to buy - and then the book gets right into the recipes. And what great recipes they are! Crisp Scampi, Salmon Laska made with Thai chilies and coconut milk, and Asian Fruity Pork with mango chutney. A great choice for cooks looking for a winning recipe for their next dinner party. Over 100 recipes.4. Fondue Cookery, by Carolyn Humphries (Cooks in a Hurry) series
A number of interesting recipes - from Fillo parcels filled with prawns to Indonesian Kebabs with spicy peanut sauce - make this book a good addition to your collection. For everyday meals, don't miss the chapter on "Convenience Fondues" with fun recipes like Hot Dog fondue.5. 125 Best Fondue Recipes, by Ilana Simon
Designed for the novice fondue cook, this book does a good job of covering basic recipes from Swiss cheese fondue to Mongolian Hot pot. There is an extensive introductory section with fondue cooking tips, and dip suggestions for each recipe. One feature I really liked: each recipe has "Make Ahead" suggestions - great if you're hosting a fondue party at the end of a busy workday.