Romantic date night fondue recipes

Spending time together as a couple doesn't have to take a lot of money.  One of the easiest ways to work as a team is to head to the kitchen and create a meal. 

It requires communication, patience, timing and problem solving which creates a strong bond making it the perfect date for Valentine's Day. 

Eric O'Neill, Executive Chef of SmartKitchen.com , shares sexy cheese and chocolate fondue recipes perfect for your romantic dinner.

Smart Kitchens Classic Cheese Fondue
Ingredients
2 cups Dry White Wine
½ lb Gruyere Cheese, shredded
½ lb Emmenthaler Cheese, shredded
1 tsp Lemon Juice
1 TBSP Paprika
Salt and Pepper to Taste
2 cloves of Fresh Garlic
3 Shallots, cut in half and thinly sliced
1 TBSP Fresh Parsley, chopped
1 Loaf of Italian Bread, cut into medium sized dices

Tools
Chefs Knife
Cutting Board
Measuring Cup
Measuring Spoons
Fondue Pot
4-8 Fondue Dipping Prongs

Method
To begin, set the Fondue Pot on number 2 (Low Heat).Place the Garlic cloves and thinly sliced shallots inside of the fondue pot and sweat. Once sweated, Add 1 ½ cups of Dry White Wine and Lemon Juice. Bring it to a simmer. Let it simmer until it has reduced to 1/2. Now add the chopped parsley and paprika. Simmer for another minute. Slowly incorporate the cheese while continuously stirring with a wooden mixing spoon. Use the ½ cup of reserved dry white wine to thin out the Fondue if it is toe thick. You are looking for a nappe consistency. Leave your fondue pot on the number 3 dial to hold and serve the fondue. Enjoy!

Smart Kitchens Chocolate Fondue Recipe
1 1/4 cups Water
4 TBSP Corn Syrup
1 1/2 cups Granulated Sugar
2 TBSP Cocoa Powder
3/4 cup of Heavy Cream
3/4 cup of Semi-Sweet or Bittersweet Chocolate, rough chopped
1 Container of Strawberries
1 Container of Blueberries
3 Bananas, sliced ½ inch thick

Tools

Chefs Knife
Cutting Board
Measuring Cup
Measuring Spoon
Whisk
Sifter
Medium Sauce Pan
6-8 Fondue Forks or Toothpicks

Method
Place a medium saucepan over high heat and bring the water, corn syrup and sugar to a boil.

Once a boil has been reached, bring the temperature down to Medium/Low heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes or until you reached a reduction of 30%.

Sift the cocoa powder with a sifter into the medium sauce pan and whisk it into the reduced solution until smooth. Gradually add the cream and chocolate, 2 oz at a time, and keep repeating a light whisk. Once all the ingredients are warmed up and well mixed, transfer the mixture into your chocolate fondue pot. If your mixture is too thick, add more cream. If the mixture is too runny, add more chocolate.