Recipes & Food Styling

Give your Valentine’s Fondue some extra love with these Heart-Shaped  Basil Breads

Fondue is all about the dipping foods. On Valentine’s Day, nothing says “Love” more than these Heart-Shaped Basil Breads. They are so simple to make and you just can’t have too many hearts on the table for this holiday.

In the Joliet, Illinois area here, we are lucky to have one of the best bakeries in the world for sliced Italian bread right down the road – Milano Bakery.

I ordered a mid-century modern fondue pot through Ebay in 2014 that was designed for Ecko by Marion Weeber. I was heart-broken when the pot arrived without its teak handle. In fact, it had no handle at all. When I asked the seller for some of the $80 back, she said that she would not credit any of the money back because I should have known. I was so sad. So I cheered myself up adding to the collection- LOVE this darling pot with orange mushrooms that just scream 1970s. AND I still use the handle-less Marion Weeber pot. Now I have a fun collection!

Smoked Gouda Fondue with Toasted Basil Bread Cubes

Cheese Fondue

3 cups smoked Gouda cheese, shredded

1 cup Gouda cheese, shredded

2 tablespoons corn starch

2 cups dry white wine

¼ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground

1 tablespoon paprika

Toss cheese and corn starch together. In small pot over medium heat, bring wine to boil. When wine comes to boil, slowly add cheese and cornstarch. Whisk until smooth, adding in pepper and paprika.

Toasted Basil Bread Cubes

½ loaf French or Italian bread

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon dried basil, chopped finely

½ teaspoon pink Himalayan salt

Toss ingredients together; spread on cookie sheet and lightly toast in oven at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until lightly toasted all around.