The answer is simple: We eat. I'm not talking plain old goulash and egg noodles here. No, darlins, to really bust the 2001 blues, we've got to break out the heavy ammunition. This is the time for outrageous decadence! This is the time for...FONDUE!

Yes, I know the stigma of fondue; it's so retro, so cheesy, so kitsch. Well, my darlings, there's no rule that fondue has to be a chafing dish filled with hot cheese goop into which you dip annoying little croutons. Fondue can be a personally tailored statement and a killer crowd-pleaser.

You're into Italian? Have a ravioli fondue party. Everyone brings in a favorite kind of ravioli. You boil them and serve with pick-your-own fondue forks around a pot filled with hot, cheesy alfredo sauce. You're crazy for Asian fusion? Serve teriyaki-marinated skewered meats around a simmering pot of vegetable oil. You like white trash? How's 'bout dipping your chicken cubes into a fondue pot filled with boiling Budweiser. Just kidding! Hmm, sounds good, actually.

Did you know that according to Swiss tradition the girl who loses her "dunkable" in the pot has to kiss either her partner or all the men in her party? If a guy loses his "dunkable" he has to buy a round of drinks. Clearly, there's more to the art of fondue than a lot of Swiss cheese.

So in honor of free drinks and loose lips everywhere, relax and channel that inner fondue child who is just waiting to break out. The following are a few ideas to get you started. All can be done with an authentic fondue set or with any hot plate, a small pot and some skewers.

The Fondification Menu:
Chocolate Fondue
Vegan Ragout Fondue
Real Man Fondue
Mama Rossi's Infamous Cayenne Remoulade