The Loop may be off-air, but it left us with an important message: "you can't get mad at someone while you're eating fondue." While we won't put this to the test, we will whip up some delicious fondue. Cheese or chocolate, it's your call. Both rock. You may think that you don't have the requisite cookery, but we'll show you how to make do.

Fondue is traditionally served in a special warming pot with extra long forks (conveniently able to double as spears for table battles royale). If you're lucky, you may have picked up a set at a garage sale somewhere. If not, no worries. The basic idea is to keep your substance warm and melty but no longer cooking rapidly. Enter the ghetto double boiler.

You can make fondue the way all the recipes say up to the point where they tell you to transfer your mixture into your fondue pot. At that point, have a smallish pot half-full of water at a low boil ready on the stove. Next, carefully pour your tasty hot meltedness into a glass or metal bowl. Your bowl should be able to sit on top of the pot. The bottom of the bowl should not be touching the water. If you need to pour out some water or turn down the flame, do it.

Pretty easy right? Hand out forks or skewer sticks and have everyone crowd around the stove to dip fruit or bread into the fondue. Be really careful because you will have a potentially raucous crowd around fire. But, it's worth it. Tip: Fondue is also a good call for a romantic evening in.

For fondue recipes check out Fondue Bits, Best Fondue, or Go Fondue.

Also, if you're low on cash for hosting, just ask friends to bring over an ingredient. No one has to go too far out of the way and a pack of strawberries or a roll of cheese can be attained for under $10. When forces combine, everyone wins. Enjoy dipping!