Fondue It Better: How to Throw A Fondue Party

Like to customize your food? Fondue offers a wide range of options. There are numerous ways to change up the recipe each time. Never have the same fondue twice!

It’s easy. Choose your cheeses, 3# in any combination, follow the recipe, get fondu-in’!

*Pro Tip: When choosing your cheese selection for a fondue, it’s best to choose at least one alpine cheese into your mix. Try a classic like Gruyere or Emmentaler, or anything in the “Go Nutty” section.

Basic Recipe

3 Pounds Of Cheese (Mix and Match)

1 Tablespoon Cornstarch

1 Cup Beer or Wine

1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice

1 Teaspoon Black Pepper

1 Garlic love

Coarsely grate the cheeses and toss with the cornstarch. Heat the wine or beer with lemon juice over medium heat. When hot, add the cheese mixture a handful at a time until melted. Add black pepper to taste. If serving in a fondue pot, rub the pot with a clove of garlic. Set the pot on its stand over a low flame. Pour in your melted fondue.

Step 1: Choose Your Cheese!

Choose your cheese to create a customized fondue blend.

Go Nuts:

Challerhocker

Brown Butter|Butterscotch

Appenzeller

Roasted Nuts|Spicy

Fontina

Truffels|Grassy

Get Fancy:

Etivaz

Deep Fruit|Intense nuttiness

Vendeen Bichonné

Rich|Mushroomy

Gabietou

Break Boundaries:

Klaverkaas Estate Gouda

Caramel|Brothy

Gorgonzola Cremificato

Yolky|Creamy

Tickler Cheddar

Step 2: Booze Cruise!

Grab something boozy to and an extra kick to you ‘due

Beer: Any beer works, choose based on what you like to drink. Going for complexity? Try an IPA. Looking for deep and rich? A stout will do wonders. A little bit delicate? A hefeweizen is perfect.

Wine: Choose whites if you’re looking for mild and sweet notes. Opt for reds for richer, berry notes.

Liquor: Don’t replace the wine or beer with hard liquor. Instead, take a shot (or two) to change up the flavor profile.

Step 3: Dip In!

Get Fondu-in’! Don’t be scared, dip right in!

Bread & Crackers

Cured Meat & Sausage

Pickles & Vegetables

Wanna learn more about cheese? Check out our “Cheese Course” video channel: vimeo.com/channels/cheesecourse.

January 9, 2014January 9, 2014

Cheeses of Instagram: Snacking Through a Polar Vortex

Over the last few months, more and more of our photo bug curd nerds have been sharing pictures full of fromage. And we love it. Nothing makes us happier than seeing our cheese out there in the world, snacked on by people who love it just as much as we do. If you’re all about snappin’ cheesy pictures, make sure to send them our way or use hashtags so we can see them when we browse! Your Instagram growth as a cheese enthusiast is bolstered by hashtags among other things, and (more importantly) is a great way for us to easily find more pictures of delicious cheese. Your social media following sure does help us extend our network as well, so your ‘cheesy’ posts help us out immensely! However, if you would like to improve on your social media network and get an ample number of followers for your page, Social Boost and websites of similar caliber could be of help to you!

Cheese posting doesn’t just catch our attention. It may also get you some more followers on your account, though another organic way of gaining a larger audience is to take a look at Upleap. So get out there and start posting your cheese pics. To help inspire you we’ve put together some of the great posts we’ve found. From pairing ideas and recipes to decked-out cheeseboards, we love these pictures so much we felt like we had to share them.

@ murrayscheese on Instagram or email pics@murrayscheese.com

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“Oh Geez!”

@libbitz

“#cheeseloving”

@terraphorm

“Who cut the Cheese?”

@camiud

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@Osetinsky

Thank you @murrayscheese for always making the holidays stinky … In a good way

@ging_n_juice

“Our day-after-New-Years-Eve cure: cheese fondue from Murray’s Cheese Bar. 2014 is off to a promising start.”

@insta_fung

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“I mean… ðŸ” ¥ #snowedinsowhat”

@donnadaily

“One of my favorite places in #nyc”

@dj_shp

“Our post beer and cheese pairing class snack.”

@catperidis

“Mozzarella Making Class!”

@andrewrpettit

“I found zen.”

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@amerr1000

So many great bark-wrapped cheeses these days, but sometimes you need the original: Vacherin Mont d’Or. Scored one of the last at @murrayscheese.

@cheesenotes

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And One final shot from our friend Cherie. Showing off her Cheese of the Month, and one of the best looking Raclette spreads we have seen recently. Thanks for sharing Cherie!

Wanna throw a Raclette party of your own, but not sure where to start? We got some tips that will melt away your fears.

Don’t forget to share those pics! @murrayscheese on instagram or email pics@murrayscheese.com

January 7, 2014January 7, 2014

Don’t Mind If We Fondue: Three Easy Recipes That Will Make You Melt

As temperatures drop (and drop and drop), we like to eschew the polar vortex and curl up ’round a nice fondue pot full of our favorite ooey-gooey melted cheeses, dunking everything in sight (things like hot chorizo, fingerling potatoes, and hunks of baguette) into silken strings of dairy goodness, finishing off each bite with a bright, briny cornichon. Get the recipes below—from classic to daring– bubblin’ in your melting pot.

Murray’s Classic Fondue

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon salt

1 garlic clove

150 g (approx. 3/4cup) white wine

4 oz (approx. 1 cup) Gruyère, grated

4 oz (approx. 1 cup) Comté, grated

3 oz Emmental, grated

1 tablespoon + 1 tsp cornstarch

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Directions:

1.Sprinkle one teaspoon of salt in the bottom of a small saucepan.

2.Cut garlic clove in half and rub the inside of the pan, starting at the salt.

3.Heat the wine on medium-high just until boiling. While the wine is heating, combine the cheeses and toss with cornstarch until evenly distributed.

4.Gradually add the cheese a half a cup at a time, whisking constantly until melted and smooth.

5.Add lemon juice and whisk until incorporated.

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Murray’s Funky ‘Due

Ingredients:

8oz Ardrahan, cubed

8oz Murray’s English Cheddar, grated

12oz Your favorite IPA beer (We recommend the Peekskill IPA)

1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

1 pinch cayenne

1 dash Frank’s Hot Sauce (or other vinegary hot sauce)

1 teaspoon freshly minced garlic

1 tablespoon cornstarch

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Murray’s Fancy ‘Due

Ingredients:

8 oz. (approx. 2 cups) Comté, grated

8 oz. (approx. 2 cups) Fontina, grated

1 Tbsp + 1 tsp cornstarch

1 clove garlic

1 cup Champagne or other favorite sparkling white wine

1.Sprinkle one teaspoon of salt in the bottom of a small saucepan.

2.Cut garlic clove in half and rub the inside of the pan, starting at the salt.

3.Heat the wine on medium-high just until boiling. While the wine is heating, combine the cheeses and toss with cornstarch until evenly distributed.

4.Gradually add the cheese a half a cup at a time, whisking constantly until melted and smooth.

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Directions:

1.Remove the rind from the Ardrahan and cube.

2.Grate the Murray’s English Cheddar and toss both with the cornstarch.

3.In a saucepan, heat the beer, garlic, hot sauce and cayenne pepper to a simmer.

4.Gradually add the cheese a half a cup at a time, whisking constantly until combined and emulsified.

5.Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Check out our fave cheeses and accompaniments you just can’t fondue without this season. Happy melting!

December 19, 2013January 31, 2018

Getting Baked: An Easy Baked Brie Recipe for the Holidays

Cooking for the holidays couldn’t get any easier than this withthe Brie Baker Gift Set. I’m all about spending hours in the kitchen, cooking with friends and eating lots of cheese but the cheese biz is hectic this time of year — not much time to spend in the kitchen! After long days in cheese land, finding the right dish to bring to holiday festivities can be a bit challenging.

It needs to be:

assortment_brie_baker_1 — Brie Baker Gift Set

1. Mostly Cheese…. Do I need to explain?

2. Cheap and Easy… I love my friends but gotta watch the wallet!

3. Impressive…. Because I got a cheese rep to keep up, ya know?

Sometimes you’ve gotta go with Betty Crocker, but it’s gotta look Martha Stewart. There are a couple of ways to bake a wheel of cheese, but this year we got our hands on a new piece of cookware that is perfect for the job. In fact, I love this guy so much, I sent my mom the “Brie Baker Gift Set” which comes with the cheese and Fig Jam.

This stuff is versatile — a great savory early party snack, or sweet after dinner indulgence.

Here is what you need:

1. Grab A Brie Baker 2. Choose A Wheel of Cheese

In Bright Murray’s Red! We went with Camembert.

3. Get Jammin’

Fruity Anarchy in a Jar Savory With Tomato Jam Luscious Fig Jam

4.Toppings!

Go nuts, keep it savory or sweeten it up.

5.Bake That Brie!

Pop that wheel in — nice and snug. Spread that jam on thick!

Top with some cherries. And some Marcona Almonds.

Pop it in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 15 minutes.

Grab a crispy baguette, rip off a chunk and get dippin’. Couldn’t be easier, and you now look like a culinary mastermind. This dish is great for the lazy college students heading home for the holidays looking to impress everyone at family dinner. Or a soccer mom looking for an effortless dish to bring to that holiday party. Even better, it’s a great project for the little ones… let the kids choose the toppings and go nuts! And don’t forget, it’s a great gift.

And that’s that. You are now officially a Brie Baker!

December 17, 2013December 17, 2013

Holiday Gifts on a Budget: Save Some Cheddar On Your Cheddar

By: Cate Peebles

Looking for something impressive that’s not oppressive to your wallet? We understand. Thankfully, a little extravagance goes a long way and you can impress anyone with one or two choice, delicious treats. We put together a few indulgent gifts that are luxurious AND affordable.

The Holiday Weekender – ~~$65~~ (ON SALE for $55) – A weekend escape full of tasty cheese, crunchy oat cakes and decadent fig cake. What makes a better gift than a brief escape from the holiday craziness?

Season’s Eatings – $45 – This rustic gift includes raw, spruce-wrapped favorite, Rush Creek, a cheese that we flip our lids for year after year; it’s the pièce de résistence of many-a monger’s holiday spread.

American Splendor – $40 – This is a lovely little sack of farmstead American craftsmanship: 2 Vermont cheeses, homemade Apple Butter, and a box of crackers. It makes a great gift for the host of the party, or a foodie friend with a taste for farm-to-table treats.

hardwear_gift_box — Build Your Own Gift and have it delivered in a Hand Made wooden crate

BYOG– Build Your Own Gift! It all starts with a $15 signature Murray’s gift crate and can be as stuffed or spare as you want it to be. To get the ideas flowing, here’s a sample gift box that costs under $50:

Build Your Own Gift:

Gift Crate – $15
½ lb Tuxford and Tebbut Stilton – $10
1 VBC Cremont – $11.99
Petit Toast – $3.99
1 Dalmatia Fig Jam – $7.99

Total – $48.97

La Quercia Cucina Collection – $39.99 –This little package of exquisite, hand-crafted cured meats is ideal for the meat-loving home chef in your life. Made by one of our favorite American artisanal charcuterie producers, La Quercia makes superb prosciutto, coppa, speck and lardo…just to name a few!

Gift Cards –Starts at $10 – These babies make superb stocking-stuffers and last minute additions to holiday cards and thank you notes. Give a little or a lot—they’re redeemable for online, in-store and classroom purchases.

Fancy food treats don’t have to be off limits—we’ve got something delectable in every price-range. Take a look online and place your order, or we’re standing by to help you make selections: give us a call at: 888-692-4339, Monday- Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. We can’t wait to talk cheese!

Looking for other cheesy gifts this Holiday season? Check out our Gift Guide to see all of our gift collections!

Wanna learn more about cheese? Check out our Cheese 101 videos and become a real curd nerd!