There are three basic cooking medium for fondue: cheese, chocolate, and oil. Since all three can be successfully heated in a crock pot, the crock pot is a natural fit for fondue. Add that to the fact that a crock pot is portable and has the ability to keep foods at a steady temperature for a long period of time, and who would want to fondue any other way. Considering also that the crock pot doesn’t use an exposed flame and the outside surface is somewhat cooler to the touch, you’ve got yourself a perfect party-time fondue set up. Let’s take a look at how to go about creating your own fondue using any of the three basic elements:

Cheese

When you are making cheese fondu in a crock pot, it is important to know about the cheese you are heating. Will it get stringy? Will it release a lot of oil? How easy will it melt? All great questions to ask when choosing what cheese to use in a fondue. Knowing your cheese will help you pick out the perfect compliment to your fondue. Will it have a smokey flavor, or be a little sharp or salty? Basic cheese fondue recipes call for cheeses like sharp Cheddar, Gruyere, and Swiss, often with other ingredients like white wine, garlic, and even a touch of flour to bind the cheeses together.

Another thought to consider when planning a cheese fondue is what types of food to dip. The classic hearty bread chunks is the first thought, of course. But what else can you dip in hot cheese? Naturally, fresh vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower come to mind, but there are other foods that are less common. Consider crisp Granny Smith apples, for instance, or sweet red bell peppers. Be creative; fondue is nothing if not fun.

Chocolate

Always a crowd pleaser, chocolate fondue can work as an appetizer or a dessert. Your slow cooker makes an excellent chocolate fondue pot due to the fact that it will melt the chocolate at a low, steady temperature, which lessens the risk of scalding the chocolate. You’ll also be able to keep the chocolate warm for a long period of time, keeping it in its liquid state rather than becoming solid again. The recipe can be as simple as melting chunks of chocolate with a little cream, or you can kick it up a bit with ingredients like coffee, liqueur, or even a pinch of chili pepper.

What you choose to dip in the chocolate depends on your own preference. The classic chocolate dipped strawberries would be first on any list. Be sure to add apples, bananas, cherries, pineapple, or any fruit you want to try to that list. You may also want to dip chunks of bread or a sturdy Angel Food cake or pound cake. Don’t forget pretzels or cookies; you’ll just have to get creative when it comes to the utensils you’ll use to dip them.

Oil

Making fondue with oil can be a bit tricky, if not downright dangerous. In a tiny fondue pot on little legs, one small bump and the whole pot could tip over. On the other hand, a crock pot is a solid appliance which won’t be likely to topple. This fact alone makes this vessel a great container for your oil fondue. Add in the ability to hold a steady temperature over a long period of time and your fondue decision has never be easier. With oil, you want to bring it up to temperature, then hold the heat steady. In some crock pots that requires the temperature to be set at high, then turned to low. Each crock pot is different, so be sure to experiment before the party. Also, choose a high-heat oil, such as peanut oil, so you won’t end up with a smoky crock pot.

This cooking method is all about meat and seafood. Use lean cuts of beef, like the tenderloin, for best results. Be sure to cut the meat into uniform pieces. Shrimp should be on the small side so they cook all the way through quickly. You may also want to cook up some mushrooms and vegetables for a feast fit for royalty. It’s best to let the raw food sit out for a bit at room temperature to take off the chill, as extremely cold food will cause the oil temperature to drop, resulting in soggy or undercooked food. On a side note, you can also use this same method and replace the oil with broth for a healthier take on this classic fondue favorite.

Having the ability to use your crock pot for a variety of different fondue dishes gives you the flexibility to keep your guests entertained and still serve great food. Many people don’t understand how valuable their slow cooker can be when it comes to having a fondue party. Whether it is cheese, chocolate, or oil, your crock pot can handle it all.

You know how useful they are for getting meals on the table for your family during those hectic everyday evenings. Why do the holidays have to be any different? Wouldn’t it be great to actually be able to spend time with friends and family during the holiday seasons instead of slaving over the hot stove all day? You can. If you have a crock pot, put it to work so you can go and play! Let’s take a look at a few ways you can turn your crock pot into a holiday helper:

Drinks

Hot drinks are great to have when you come in from a day of sledding or shopping. Everything from apple cider to a toasty adult beverage can be simmering while you are out doing your thing. By choosing a crock pot with an adjustable temperature setting, you can simmer your beverage, then keep your drinks warm while you gather to enjoy. Add a couple sticks of cinnamon or a few cloves to your drink and the whole house will smell like the holidays as the aromatics begin to warm up.

Appetizers

Nothing gets your appetite warmed up like a hot dip or your favorite holiday appetizer. Little smokey sausages cooked in barbecue sauce or a warm spinach and artichoke dip can help shake off the chill of a cold winter. Even something as simple as a bowl of assorted nuts gets better when toasted first in the crock pot with a blend of spicy or sweet spices. The best thing about appetizers in a crock pot is they are self serving. Friends and family can come by and help themselves while you relax nearby. Effortless entertaining, freeing up your time and stove top for the rest of the meal.

Soups

You can fix almost all of the traditional holiday staples in a crock pot. From matzo ball soup to the classic chowders, a wide variety of soups can be put together ahead of time and left to cook while you are watching the ball games or playing with your new gadgets. If watching the Bowl Games is a part of your holiday tradition, just think how nice it would be to quickly and easily mix up a batch of chili to feed all your favorite fans.

Side Dishes

What do green bean casserole, macaroni and cheese, scalloped potatoes, candied yams, and brown sugar glazed carrots all have in common? That’s right. They can all be made, rather effortlessly, in a slow cooker while you are doing something you enjoy. Your side dishes can take care of themselves. Of course, it may feel a bit odd at first to be out of the kitchen during a holiday get-together, but I’m sure you could get used to relaxing and enjoying the day while the crock pot works to keep your family well-fed.

Main Course

Now, there is no way you can fit an entire turkey into a crock pot, so your main course will have to get a little creative. But it can be done. For smaller gatherings, you can opt for turkey breast or parts in the crock pot instead of a large turkey. For larger gatherings, you may want to make several smaller main dishes, such as a chicken in the crock pot in addition to the big turkey. If you are having ham, you might want to think about slicing the ham first or buying a precooked ham you only need to warm up.

The point is, you shouldn’t have to slave over the stove while everyone else is hanging out and having a good time. Your crock pot can be your best friend during the holidays. Just plug it in, turn up the heat and join your family for some quality time.