I turned my Champagne Wild Mushroom Fondue into two different fondues just by substituting a few ingredients. I made a Three Cheese Champagne Truffle Fondue and a Roquefort Brie and Brandy Fondue.

At the suggestion of my mother, I turned my Oven Braised Organic Brisket with Red Wine Mushroom Cranberry Sauce into small sandwiches!  We braised 2 briskets all day for like 5 hours and served the brisket on French bread with horseradish cream sauce, caramelized onions (that I slow cooked for 4 hours!), arugula and the pan sauce from the brisket (which is to die for!).

I also made my grandmother's famous White Bark Cookie recipe that is about the easiest almost no cook, cookie recipe in the world! All I did is melt white, organic chocolate (you could use dark chocolate), added some 365 Organic Brown Rice Crisps (Whole Foods, private label version of Rice Krispies, which doesn't contain high fructose corn syrup or other yucky ingredients) and organic chopped walnuts. I stirred with a wooden spoon, until all ingredients were combined. I then spooned out small cookies onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, and sprinkled them with some holiday glitter, and chilled them in the refrigerator for an hour. And presto, they are ready to serve!

And of course I had our fondue fountain running with festive chocolate. You can see how I make our chocolate fondue here.

To give this party healthy twist, I added a little roughage to all of this cheese and chocolate decadence. I served my Roasted Brussel Sprouts (without the mushrooms and crispy shallots), roasted organic cauliflower and broccoli tossed with a olive oil infused with garlic and dried herbs. I also added some delicious Roasted Organic Heirloom Potatoes, sautéed shiitake mushrooms and sausages. And no cheese fondue would be complete without day old bread.

To top it all off, my husband served his famous Chocolate Martinis that are absolutely to die for. I don't know how he does it, but they are not super sweet, and very drinkable. We even drizzle and rim the martini glass with chocolate. People come to this party just so they can get one of his martinis! Way to go honey :)

All of the ingredients should be available at your local natural and organic food store.

Enjoy the game—and stay sane!

First Down Fondue

Makes 8 servings

2 cups (8 ounces) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
3 cups (12 ounces) colby-jack cheese, shredded
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 bottle (12 ounces) beer
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
Dippers: Assorted breadsticks, bell pepper pieces, sugar snap peas and cherry tomatoes

1. Toss cheeses with cornstarch in medium bowl; set aside.
2. Pour beer into fondue pot; bring to boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low; add cheese mixture.
3. Cook 2 minutes or until cheese is melted, stirring constantly. Stir in hot sauce.
4. Keep fondue over low heat. Dip breadsticks and vegetables into fondue.

Book Pick of the Day: Let’s Fondue

Recipe courtesy of Sargento Foods Inc.