Ingredients:
1 ounce dried porcini mushrooms ( Porcini are available at Italian markets and specialty foods stores.)
1 1/2 cups hot water
1/2 lb emmenthaler cheese, grated
1/2 lb swiss gruyere cheese, grated
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 cup dry white wine
1 garlic cloves, halved
2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme
fresh thyme leaves
day-old French bread, cut into 1 inch cubes
Directions:
Soak porcini mushrooms in 1 1/2 cups hot water until softened, about 20 minutes.
Drain, reserving soaking liquid.
Squeeze mushrooms dry.
Chop.
Mix Emmenthal and Gruyere cheese and cornstarch in large bowl.
Combine 1 cup reserved mushroom soaking liquid, white wine and garlic in fondue pot or heavy medium saucepan.
Simmer 2 minutes.
Discard garlic.
Adjust heat so that liquid barely simmers.
Add cheese 1 handful at a time and stir until each addition melts before adding next.
After all cheese is added, mix until smooth.
Mix in mushrooms and 2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme.
Season with generous amount of pepper.
(Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cool. Press plastic onto surface of fondue and refrigerate. Cover and refrigerate remaining mushroom soaking liquid. Before continuing, rewarm fondue over low heat, stirring frequently and adding reserved mushroom soaking liquid). If not using fondue pot, transfer mixture to flameproof 2-quart casserole.
Sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves.
Set over alcohol burner or gas table burner and serve, allowing diners to skewer bread with fork and dip into cheese fondue.
Servings: 6
Time preparation: 10 min.
Time total: 20 min.