Norway’s Jarlsberg cheese is mild and buttery. Here its flavor get a boost by adding a bit of Parmesan, to be sure it stands up to the woodsy flavors of wild mushrooms. A drizzle of fragrant truffle oil is added for that something extra. Serve this rich-tasting fondue with crusty bread cubes, tiny roasted new potatoes and artichoke hearts, cubes of firm polenta, Belgian endive leaves, or assorted raw vegetables.
Reprinted with permission from Great Party Fondues by Peggy Fallon (Wiley 2008).

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 12 ounces fresh wild mushrooms, such as shiitake, porcini, morels, or chanterelles, or a combination of wild and
• cultivated mushrooms, finely chopped (see Note)
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 pound Jarlsberg cheese, shredded
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon black or white truffle oil

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes

• Total Time: 30 minutes

Preparation

Makes about 3 1/2 cups; 4 to 6 main-course or 8 to 10 appetizer servings.

1. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until they give off their liquid and begin to brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Season with the thyme, salt, and pepper.
2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, toss the shredded Jarlsberg and grated Parmesan cheese with the cornstarch to coat.

1. In a large saucepan, warm the wine and lemon juice over medium heat until hot but not boiling. Reduce the heat to low and gradually stir in the cheese mixture, letting each addition melt before adding more. Stir in the mushrooms and cook for 1 minute longer. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
2. Transfer to a fondue pot, preferably ceramic or enameled cast iron, and drizzle the truffle oil over the top. Regulate the heat under the pot, if possible, so that the cheese fondue remains warm, not hot.

Note: If wild mushrooms are unavailable or prohibitively expensive, substitute 4 ounces of chopped fresh cremini or white mushrooms along with 2 ounces of assorted dried wild mushrooms that have been rehydrated in warm water for about 20 minutes, drained well, and chopped.