Three ways to enjoy apres ski food & drinks without hitting the slopes

YOU do not need to hit the slopes to enjoy alpine food and drinks.

Just recreate an apres ski-style feast at home.

Here are some ideas that will give you a run for your money.

YOU CAN FONDUE IT: A pot of melted cheese with crusty bread and vegetables for dipping is a classic mountain dish.

You can use a fondue set — Argos sells one for £30. Or putting a big heatproof bowl such as a Pyrex mixing one, £3.75 from Asda, on top of a pan of simmering water to melt the cheese will work too.

Gruyere cheese is typically used in a fondue, but you can swap for Gouda which tends to be cheaper.

Tesco has a 265g pack for £2.50 which is the perfect amount to grate and melt down for around four people.

Add a couple of tablespoons of cider vinegar to stop the cheese from getting lumpy.

BET ON TARTIFLETTE: This indulgent dish of cheese, potato and bacon is perfect for refuelling after a day out in the cold.

Thickly slice and boil potatoes for around ten minutes.

In the meantime, chop and fry an onion with small pieces of bacon or lardons.

Reblochon cheese is typically used in tartiflette, but instead you can use Brie — a pack from Creamfields is currently £1.69 at Tesco.

Chop up the cheese and alternately layer it with the potatoes and bacon and onion in an ovenproof dish.

Then pour over a tub of single cream and bake for around ten minutes until the cheese is melted and the top is golden.

WARM UP: What is a ski experience without a warming mug of hot chocolate?

Get Choceur instant hot chocolate, £1.35, from Aldi.

You can upgrade your drink with the classic whipped cream and marshmallows.

Or try a hot chocolate bomb — a chocolate ball filled with marshmallows and cocoa powder.

An easy cheat to making this at home is to use a Kinder egg.

Take out the toy and scoop in the powder with a few mini marshmallows.

Then simply add to hot milk.

• All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.

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