taste: scardello artisan cheese

This year for Valentine's Day, my valentine and I decided that we would skip the restaurant scene, and try out the fondue pot we had bought years ago, but never used. To make sure we did it up right, we hit Scardello Artisan Cheese for a quick lunch, then picked up the cheeses and some crusty bread to make their Swiss Three Cheese fondue (they have over 150 cheeses available. Can you say heaven?).

There's a small seating area towards the back of the shop, where you can enjoy something off their menu – we both had The Sweet Italian sandwich with a green salad, and it was absolutely delicious – plus they serve wine by the glass or you can pick up a bottle. They also have a great selection of foodie delights - varietal honeys, roasted red peppers, a selection of different salts. If you live in Dallas, and you love cheese or just food for that matter, this place is a MUST!

And here's their recipe if you want to try it. This serves 4.

Swiss Three Cheese Fondue

1/2 lb grated Gruyere cheese (rind removed)

1/2 lb grated Vacherin Fribourgeois cheese (rind removed)

3 oz (1/2 cup) grated Appenzeller cheese (rind removed)

1 clove garlic, 1 cup dry white wine, 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice, 3 1/2 tsp. cornstarch 1 tbsp kirsch (optional, pepper and nutmeg to taste

1. Rub inside of medium saucepan with peeled garlic clove. Throw away garlic. Add wine and lemon juice and bring to a simmer over medium heat.

2. In a medium bowl, mix the cheese with the cornstarch and toss. Stir the mixture into the wine one small handful at a time. Make sure each handful is completely melted before adding another. The fondue can bubble a bit, but don't let it boil. Season with nutmeg and pepper. Stir in kirsch (optional).

3. Transfer to a cheese fondue pot and keep warm with burner. Serve right away.