Porcini Fondue   

Ingredients
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons Marsala wine
3/4 cup dried wild mushrooms, preferably Italian porcini
8 ounces imported Fontina cheese, grated
8 ounces Swiss or Emmentaler cheese, grated
2 to 3 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
1 clove garlic, halved
2 cups dry white wine
1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

 

Instructions
Heat 1 cup Marsala just to boiling in a small saucepan and pour over the dried mushrooms in a small bowl. Let stand at least 1 hour. Meanwhile, toss the Fontina and Swiss cheeses lightly with the flour. Rub a heavy enameled pot or fondue pot with the garlic. Pour in the white wine and heat over medium-low heat until hot. Add the cheese tossed with flour, a handful at a time, stirring constantly and waiting until each addition melts before adding the next. Then stir in the Parmesan. Drain the mushrooms, squeezing out as much liquid as possible, and chop into fairly fine pieces. Stir the mushrooms, the remaining 2 tablespoons Marsala, and lots of freshly ground black pepper into the fondue. Serve with assorted breads and sausages for dipping.

Yield: 6 main-course portions or 10 to 12 appetizer portions

Put bacon, onion and butter into a saucepan and cook until bacon is golden and onion is soft. Stir in flour, then gradually add lager and cook until thickened, stirring frequently. Add cheeses, stirring all the time, and continue cooking until cheeses have melted and mixture is smooth. Pour into a fondue pot and serve with gherkins and chunks of light rye bread.
(Serves 4-6)