Patrick Oconnell
Raclette is a Swiss dish that involves melting cheese and scraping it onto a plate of accompaniments. The name raclette comes from the French word racler, which means to scrape. Raclette cheese is traditionally melted in front of a fireplace, but it can also be melted in an oven or on a tabletop electric raclette grill. If you're looking for a cozy and delightful dining experience, making raclette at home is a great option. This paragraph will discuss the different ways to melt cheese in a raclette cheese melter and the steps involved in the process.
How to melt cheese in a raclette cheese melter
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of cheese | Raclette, Emmental, Gruyere, Cheddar, or any semi-hard, semi-soft cheese that melts well |
| Heat source | Oven, broiler, tabletop electric raclette grill, or traditional raclette setup with a fireplace |
| Time | A few minutes until bubbling and golden brown |
| Serving suggestions | Boiled potatoes, pickles, bread, sliced meats, gherkins, small onions, kirsch, herbal tea, or white wine |
| Equipment | Heavy cast-iron pan, trivet or warmer for the hot cheese |
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What You'll Learn
Melting raclette cheese in the oven
Raclette is a Swiss cheese dish that has been enjoyed for centuries. The name “raclette” comes from the French word “racler,” which means “to scrape." This dish gets its name from the traditional method of melting the cheese and then scraping it onto a plate of accompaniments. Raclette cheese is usually sold in wedges or slices. Home cooks and restaurants use tabletop electric raclette grills to heat the cheese. However, you can still go to a raclette restaurant to experience the traditional way of melting large wheels of raclette. These specialty restaurants have more traditional equipment that melts the cheese and scrapes it for all the diners.
If you don't have a raclette grill, you can melt raclette cheese in your oven. Preheat your oven to the broil setting. Prepare your accompaniments by slicing the cheese, arranging boiled potatoes, and setting out cornichons, pickled onions, charcuterie, and bread on a platter. Place the raclette cheese under the broiler and watch closely. It will take just a few minutes for the cheese to melt and become bubbling and golden brown. Be careful not to overcook it; you want it to be gooey, not burnt. As soon as the cheese is ready, bring it to the table along with the roasted vegetables and the platter of accompaniments. Each guest can now create their own raclette by scraping the melted cheese onto their plate and adding their favorite accompaniments.
If you're using a cast-iron pan, put it in the oven and let it warm up for about 5 minutes. Add the raclette to the pan and cook until the cheese is hot and evenly melted, about 5 minutes. While the cheese melts, set everything on the table, including a trivet or warmer for the hot pan. When the cheese is ready, tilt the pan to slide it to one side, then transfer your potato mixture to the cleared side and add thyme sprigs if you like. Serve immediately.
If you're using a less heat-tolerant cheese like Gruyère, toss it with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and soften it over very low heat on the stovetop until almost melted. Then, remove it from the heat and stir until smooth.
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Using a tabletop electric raclette grill
A tabletop electric raclette grill is a great way to melt raclette cheese at home. Raclette is a Swiss semi-hard cheese dish that has been enjoyed for centuries. The name comes from the French word "racler", which means "to scrape". The traditional method involves melting the cheese and then scraping it onto a plate of accompaniments, such as vegetables.
To use a tabletop electric raclette grill, start by placing the cheese in the small pans provided, called coupelles. These grills typically come with 8 independent heat-resistant raclette trays, which are perfect for creating a variety of dishes simultaneously. You can adjust the heat using the control knob, and an indicator light will let you know when the grill is operating. The high power of 1500W (120V) ensures quick and even heating.
Once the grill is heated, place the coupelles with the cheese under the grill and watch closely. It should only take a few minutes for the cheese to melt and become bubbling and golden brown. Then, simply scrape the melted cheese onto your chosen accompaniments and enjoy!
Tabletop electric raclette grills are easy to clean, too. The non-stick surface of the coupelles helps to remove food easily and speeds up the cleaning process. So, whether you're hosting a family gathering or a dinner party, a tabletop electric raclette grill is a perfect way to enjoy melted raclette cheese with ease and convenience.
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Traditional raclette cheese melting
Raclette is a semi-hard cow's milk cheese that originated in Switzerland. It is a popular dish in France, Italy, Germany, and Austria, and is often enjoyed as a delightful dining experience that combines cheese, vegetables, and socializing. The name "raclette" comes from the French word "racler," which means "to scrape." The traditional way of preparing raclette involves melting large wheels of cheese and then scraping the melted cheese onto a plate of accompaniments.
To melt raclette cheese in a traditional way, you can use a special raclette oven or a fireplace. Here are the steps for melting raclette cheese in a traditional raclette oven:
- Preheat the raclette oven to a suitable temperature for melting cheese.
- Place the raclette cheese in the oven and heat it until it is melted, bubbling, and golden brown. This usually takes just a few minutes.
- Once the cheese is melted, use a raclette knife or spatula to scrape the melted cheese onto a plate.
- Serve the melted raclette cheese with boiled potatoes, cornichons (pickled cucumbers), pickled onions, and sliced meats. You can also enjoy it with bread instead of potatoes.
If you prefer to use a fireplace for a more traditional experience, here are the steps:
- Prepare a fireplace or campfire and ensure you have a suitable surface for heating the cheese.
- Place the raclette cheese by the fireplace, exposing it to the heat.
- Allow the cheese to melt until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Use a knife or spatula to scrape the melted cheese onto a plate or directly onto bread.
- Serve the raclette with your chosen accompaniments, such as boiled potatoes, cornichons, or sliced meats.
It is worth noting that raclette has excellent melting properties due to its fat content, which does not separate and pool as grease. This makes it an ideal cheese for dishes that require melted cheese, such as raclette dinners, cheese fondue, gratins, casseroles, grilled cheese sandwiches, and pasta dishes.
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Substituting raclette cheese
Raclette is a semi-hard, nutty cheese with holes and a creamy texture, ideal for melting due to its fat content and moisture ratio. It is usually sold in wedges or slices and melted on tabletop electric raclette grills. However, raclette cheese can be hard to find and expensive, so several substitutes with similar melting properties and flavours can be used.
When choosing a substitute, it is important to consider how you want to use the cheese. If you want to replicate the raclette melting technique, you will need a cheese with a similar firm and melted consistency. If you are only using the cheese in a sauce, as a dip, or as a garnish, you have more flexibility in your choice.
Gruyere is a popular substitute for raclette as it shares many of its characteristics. It has a nutty, sweet taste with a hint of saltiness and a slightly firmer texture than raclette. It is widely available in most grocery stores. Emmental is another good alternative, with Swiss origins and a buttery, nutty taste. It has excellent melting properties and is commonly used in gratins and fondues. However, its texture is firmer than raclette, so it may not have the same creaminess when melted. Fontina, an Italian cheese with a mild, delicate flavour and a creamy, meltable texture, is another option that works well in fondues, gratins, and grilled cheese sandwiches. Jarlsberg, a Norwegian cheese with a nutty flavour and texture similar to raclette, can also be used as a substitute. It is commonly melted on sandwiches and used in fondue.
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Serving suggestions
Raclette is a Swiss dish that involves melting cheese and scraping it onto a plate of accompaniments. It is a social dining experience that combines cheese, vegetables, and meats. Here are some serving suggestions for your next Raclette dinner:
Traditional Raclette
The traditional way of serving Raclette involves melting a large chunk of cheese near a fire and scraping the melted cheese onto a plate of boiled potatoes, pickles, bread, and sliced meats. If you don't have access to an open fireplace, you can simulate this process by using a Raclette Melter or a tabletop Raclette grill, which allows everyone to melt their own cheese as needed.
Oven-Baked Raclette
If you don't have a fireplace or a Raclette Melter, you can also melt Raclette cheese in your oven. Simply place the cheese under the broiler and watch closely. It will take just a few minutes for the cheese to melt and become bubbling and golden brown. Once melted, scrape the cheese onto your plate of accompaniments and enjoy!
Pan-Fried Raclette
Another option is to melt Raclette cheese in a pan on your stovetop. Add the cheese to the pan and cook until it is hot and evenly melted, which should take around 5 minutes. While the cheese is melting, prepare your accompaniments, such as boiled potatoes, fried vegetables, or cold cut meats. Once the cheese is ready, slide it to one side of the pan and add your chosen accompaniments to the other side. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Beverage Pairings
When serving Raclette, it is important to offer beverages that will complement the rich, creamy flavour of the melted cheese. A dry white wine or a light beer pairs well with Raclette cheese.
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Frequently asked questions
The traditional way to melt raclette cheese is to place a large wheel or chunk of cheese near a fire and scrape the melted bits onto a plate of accompaniments.
Home cooks and restaurants use tabletop electric raclette grills to heat raclette cheese. These grills have small pans called coupelles that are designed for melting cheese.
Yes, you can melt raclette cheese in an oven. Place a heavy cast-iron or enameled cast-iron frying pan in the oven to warm up for about 5 minutes. Then, add the raclette cheese to the pan and cook until it is evenly melted, which should take about 5 minutes.
Raclette cheese can be substituted with other Swiss cheeses such as Emmental, Gruyere, or even Cheddar. Any kind of hard, semi-hard, or semi-soft cheese that melts well can be used as a substitute.
