Snack: Blushing Cheese Dip Recipe | MyRecipes

As you dip the roasted beets into this delicate fondue, it will gradually turn pink. The cheese stays molten and creamy for a long time--this recipe, adapted from executive chef Jason Berthold of San Francisco's Monsieur Benjamin, is a fondue breakthrough

Ingredients

3 small red beets, trimmed and scrubbed
About 1/2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and pepper
3/4 pound small Butterball or fingerling potatoes
1 red- or pink-skinned apple
2 heads Belgian endive
Lightly toasted bread, cut into cubes
Fondue
1/2 cup plus 1 tbsp. dry white wine
1 small shallot, thinly sliced (about 3 tbsp.)
1 small garlic clove, thinly sliced
5 sprigs fresh thyme, plus several leaves for sprinkling on fondue
1 bay leaf
5 whole white peppercorns
1/4 cup whole milk
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
6 ounces fresh mild goat cheese, crumbled

Instructions

At least 2 hours before serving, preheat oven to 375 °. On a small foil-covered baking sheet, rub beets with about 1/2 tbsp. oil and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Bake until a knife point slides in without resistance, about 1 1/2 hours. Let cool until warm, then rub off skin with paper towels. Cut into wedges, drizzle with a little more oil, and set aside in a small serving bowl.
While beets are cooking, put potatoes in a pot, cover with water, add salt to taste, and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Make fondue: In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine wine, 1/4 cup water, the shallot, garlic, thyme sprigs, bay leaf, and peppercorns. Simmer gently, uncovered, until liquid is reduced to 1/2 cup, about 5 minutes.
Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a measuring cup and discard solids. Return seasoned wine to saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat.
Meanwhile, in a bowl, whisk together milk, 1/4 cup water, the cornstarch, salt, and sugar. Whisk milk-cornstarch mixture into simmering wine. Bring to a boil, whisking constantly, until it thick­ens, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce heat to low and add cheese, whisking until smooth. Season to taste with salt and keep warm.
To serve, cut apple into thin slices and separate Belgian endive into leaves. Slice any large potatoes in half and arrange everything, along with bowl of beets, on a platter. Pour fondue into a small deep baking dish, sprinkle with thyme leaves, and set on platter.
Make ahead: Beets, up to 3 days, chilled. Fondue, up to 2 days, cooled at room temperature, then chilled with a piece of plastic wrap pressed directly onto surface of fondue. Rewarm in a saucepan over low heat, whisking constantly.