Safety First

• Unless your idea of romance includes a trip to the emergency room, practice caution when using your fingers to eat and serve fondue. Avoid hot oil fondues, since this liquid can spatter, and invest in an electric fondue pot that allows you to regulate the dip's temperature. When the fondue is cooked, lower the temperature so the gooey stuff is warm but not scalding. Cut all your dippers into larger pieces than you might if you were using fondue forks so your fingers don't have to touch the hot fondue while you're reaching in for a dunk.

Savory Delights

• Start your meal with savory fondue to set a romantic tone for the rest of the night. Dip toast points into a sauce of cheese and dry white wine or serve your honey pretzels coated with a cheesy bacon and beer fondue. Save room for a decadent dessert with a light main course using a broth seasoned with ginger and plenty of soy sauce -- "Psychology Today" says that soy has sexual benefits. Garlic adds delicious flavor, but it's best left out when you're sharing a romantic meal. Dip grilled shrimp, grilled steak strips, cooked asparagus spears, pepper slices and broccoli florets into the broth.

Luscious Fruit

• Nature’s candy is just sweet enough for your beloved. Fruit also has the benefit of being lighter than other dippers, which is appealing on a romantic night. Whole fresh strawberries are the classic fondue complement for a reason, as they pair perfectly with any type of chocolate. Sprinkle a freshly dipped berry with coconut before eating it. Try feeding your partner orange slices dipped in chocolate fondue, but be ready with a damp cloth because this treat is juicy. Banana, pear or pineapple slices are also sturdy enough to hold up to hand dipping. Slice these fruits into thick spears to protect your fingers from touching the hot liquid.

Sweet Treats

• If your sweet tooth is insatiable, dip your favorite dessert items into the fondue pot. Lightly toast thick cubes of pound cake to give the pieces crunch, use biscotti as dippers or bake a batch of dense, fudgy brownies and cut them into chunks. Le Cordon Bleu suggests dipping potato chips in chocolate fondue. As for the chocolate itself, think beyond basic melted chocolate. Spice up the dish and your love live by adding cinnamon and chili powder to dark chocolate fondue, or stir whisky into the luscious chocolate for a dessert that will make you feel warm all over.