Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and we have the perfect cannabis-infused dish to add to your romantic dinner plans. Don’t worry—it’s not more chocolate.
There are plenty of sweet dishes out there for Valentine’s Day already, and you still need to eat some dinner first. Instead of more sweets, try this savory and easy-to-make classic: a delicious cheese fondue infused with marijuana.
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If you aren’t familiar with fondue, it’s a classic dish from Switzerland. You cook cheese with wine to create a smooth, rich sauce. The sauce is served hot with an array of breads, veggies or meats for dipping. Then, using skewers, diners dip these bite-sized treats into the cheese.
The entire process is more than just a meal; it’s also a fun activity, which makes it a great choice for a date night or a special occasion like Valentine’s Day. Plus, depending on what you choose, the marijuana oil you include could help ease nerves, calm anxiety (which you may need before a Valentine’s Day date) or even provide relief for aches and pains.
Most fondue is prepared and served in a fondue pot (often with a heating source below it), which keeps the fondue warm and saucy throughout the dining experience. If you have one, great. If not, don’t worry.
You can make this recipe without a fondue pot using a double boiler. Just fill a small pot about one quarter of the way full with water, and put a heat-resistant glass bowl on top. This will provide even cooking for your fondue without the expense of a new fondue pot.
What follows is a classic fondue, which includes white wine. Some but not all of it will burn off during cooking, so bear that in mind when adding tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to the recipe. When combined with alcohol, THC can increase its effects.
Ingredients for Cannabis-Infused Cheese Fondue
- 4 cups grated cheese (Swiss and Gruyère are classic choices, but you can pick your favourite varieties.)
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 1/2 cups white wine (You can substitute with flavorful stock and a hit of vinegar or lemon juice, if you’d rather have a nonalcoholic fondue.)
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- Cannabis oil (Adjust amount according to your preference and tolerance. Remember, THC can increase some of alcohol’s effects.)
- Veggies, bread or meat for dipping
When choosing what you want to dip in your cheese, feel free to be creative. Some fondue classics are cubed pieces of bread, potatoes, apple or pear. For a healthier twist, try veggies like carrots, broccoli and cherry tomatoes. To make it a full meal, you can add cubes of cooked steak or chicken.
How to Make Cannabis-Infused Cheese Fondue
- Set up your double boiler on the stove, placing a heat-resistant glass bowl over a small pot filled 1/4 of the way with water. Bring the water to a low simmer.
- Set aside 2 tablespoons of wine in a cup and mix it with your cornstarch.
- Add the remaining wine to the glass bowl. If you have a fondue pot, then simply add wine in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the garlic and stir the mixture with your spatula occasionally as you heat it to a simmer. Here’s where you can add your cannabis oil.
- Gradually add the cheese to the glass bowl or saucepan, stirring constantly in a zigzag pattern rather than a circular motion. This helps prevent the cheese from balling up. A very important note: Never let this mixture boil.
- When the cheese is melted and has a creamy consistency. Stir in the cornstarch mixture.
- Bring the fondue to a simmer and stir it on the heat for about 5–8 minutes, or until thickened.
- Using gloves, move the glass bowl to your table, placing it on a hot plate or other heat-safe surface. If using a fondue pot, add the cheese mixture to that pot and set over a heat source.
- Serve with your veggies, meat or bread.
Main photo credit: angela pham
If you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our Cannabis 101 index of articles. And if you have questions about cannabis, ask them and our community will answer.
