Beer-and-Cheddar Fondue

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound ground pork sausage
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 2 (8-ounce) blocks Cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup beer*
• 1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chiles
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
• Cubed French bread or sliced pears

Preparation

1. Cook ground pork sausage in a large saucepan over medium heat, stirring until it crumbles and is no longer pink. Drain and remove sausage from pan.
2. Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat; add onion and garlic, and sauté until tender.
3. Add flour, stirring until smooth. Cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Gradually add milk, stirring until thickened. Add cheese, stirring until melted. Remove from heat; stir in sausage, beer, and next 3 ingredients. Transfer to a fondue pot or slow cooker; keep warm on LOW. Serve with cubed French bread or sliced pears.
4. *Nonalcoholic beer may be substituted for regular beer.