Serves 12

2 cups beer

1 pound smoked Gouda cheese, shredded

8 ounces white Cheddar, crumbled

8 ounces Gruyère cheese, shredded

2 cloves garlic, pressed

1 onion, finely chopped

½ cup green onion, finely chopped

½ cup parsley, finely chopped

1 small bell pepper, finely diced

1 tablespoon cornstarch

2 tablespoons water

1–2 tablespoons Tabasco sauce

• Heat beer in a saucepan. Add cheese in 4 batches, stirring in a figure-eight motion until each batch is completely melted.

• Add garlic, onion, parsley, and bell pepper to the mix. Heat until bubbly.

• Combine water and cornstarch, stir until smooth. Add to cheese mixture.

• Continue cooking and stirring for 1–2 minutes. Add Tabasco.

• Remove cheese mixture to a fondue pot. Place on heating source and serve with crusty bread, sausages, and vegetables for dipping.

Shopping Savvy

Andouille is a coarse, spicy, smoked sausage once available only in Louisiana. It's now widely available under several brand names. Savoie's and Richard's are both authentic Louisiana brands. Fresh mirlitons can be found in the produce section of most supermarkets. They're also called chayotes.