Patrick Oconnell
Raclette is a traditional Swiss dish made of melted cheese served with boiled potatoes, pickles, cured meats, and crusty bread. It is a fun and interactive dinner, like fondue, but instead of dipping food into melted cheese, you pour the melted cheese over the top. Raclette cheese is the most traditional option, but other semi-hard cheeses that melt well, such as Emmental, Gruyere, or Cheddar, can also be used. To melt the cheese, you can use a tabletop electric raclette grill, a frying pan, or an oven. The cheese is typically heated on only one side and then scraped off onto the plate, where it is combined with the other ingredients.
How to melt raclette cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Raclette, Emmental, Gruyere, Cheddar, Gouda |
| Consistency | Semi-hard |
| Source | Cow's milk |
| Origin | Switzerland |
| Other places of production | France, US |
| Substitutes | Any semi-soft cheese that melts well |
| Common accompaniments | Boiled potatoes, cured meats, pickles, roasted vegetables, crusty bread |
| Equipment | Tabletop electric raclette grill, tabletop raclette grill, cast iron skillet, frying pan, oven |
| Beverage pairings | Dry white wine, light beer, tea |
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What You'll Learn
Melting raclette cheese in the oven
Raclette is a traditional Swiss dish made of melted cheese served with boiled potatoes, pickles, cured meats, and crusty bread. It is a fun and interactive dinner, perfect for a dinner party as it is easy to prepare and gives your guests the opportunity to cook and customize their meal.
To melt raclette cheese in the oven, first preheat your oven. Place the raclette cheese under the broiler and keep a close eye on it. It will only take a few minutes for the cheese to melt and become bubbling and golden brown. Be careful not to overcook it, as you want the cheese to be gooey, not burnt. As soon as the cheese is ready, bring it to the table along with roasted vegetables and a platter of accompaniments. Each guest can then create their own raclette dish by scraping the melted cheese onto their plate and adding their desired accompaniments.
If you don't have a raclette grill, you can use a frying pan on your stove. Melt the cheese in the pan and then bring the pan to the dining table to pour the melted cheese over your food. You can also use a hot pot stove with a non-stick frying pan, which allows you to bring the cheese directly to the table.
Remember, the most important factor is that you enjoy the taste of the cheese. Raclette cheese is the traditional choice, but if you can't find it, you can use another kind of Swiss cheese like Emmental or Gruyere, or even Cheddar or Gouda in a pinch.
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Using a raclette grill
Raclette is a traditional Swiss dish made of melted cheese served with boiled potatoes, pickles, and cured meats. The name “raclette” comes from the French word “racler,” which means “to scrape. The star of the show is the cheese, typically a wheel of semi-soft cow’s milk cheese.
If you have a raclette grill, you can place the cheese under it until it's bubbly. You can also grill vegetables and meats on top of the grill while the cheese is melting. If you don't have a raclette grill, you can use a tabletop electric raclette grill, a frying pan, or an oven to melt the cheese.
To use a raclette grill, first, prepare your condiments and place them on the table. Thinly slice onions and vegetables, place pickles into bowls, slice potatoes, prepare meats, and select spices. Then, slice the raclette cheese into 2mm thick slices (slightly less than 1/8"). Place the cheese under the raclette grill until it's bubbly and golden brown. Be careful not to overcook it; you want it to be gooey, not burnt.
While the cheese is melting, you can grill vegetables and meats on top of the grill. Once the cheese is ready, use a wooden cheese scraper to slide the melted cheese over the sliced potatoes or other accompaniments. Serve the melted cheese with the grilled vegetables and meats, and let your guests create their own raclette combinations.
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Choosing the right cheese
Raclette is a semi-soft or semi-hard cheese from Switzerland, traditionally served melted. It is made from cow's milk and has a mild, nutty flavour. The best raclette cheese is distinguished by its aromatic smell and outstanding melting properties. Raclette with the AOP designation is the best quality, and guarantees that the cheese is authentic and region-specific.
When choosing the right raclette cheese, it's important to consider the type of milk used and the region from which it comes. Raclette cheese is made from both pasteurised and unpasteurised cow's milk. The Raclette Suisse® brand brings together a range of raclette cheeses from across Switzerland, including the regions of Freiburg, Bern, and Central Switzerland. The aromatic herbs found in the meadows to the north of the Alps create a naturally semi-hard raclette cheese with a mild flavour and a well-rounded aroma.
If you are unable to find raclette cheese, there are several substitutes that can be used. Other Swiss cheeses like Emmental or Gruyere can be good alternatives, and even Cheddar can work in a pinch. The most important factor is choosing a cheese that melts well and has a flavour you enjoy. Gouda, for example, is not a traditional choice for raclette but can be a tasty option.
When preparing raclette, it is typically melted and served with boiled potatoes, pickles, and cured meats. It can also be served with bread or vegetables. Raclette can be melted using a tabletop electric raclette grill, or in a frying pan on a stove. The traditional way of preparing raclette involves placing a half wheel of cheese near an open fire and scraping the melted cheese onto a plate.
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Preparing the traditional accompaniments
To prepare the potatoes, first, preheat your broiler. Next, place the potatoes in a large pot and cover them with cold water. Add a tablespoon of salt. Put the pot on high heat and bring the water to a boil. Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to low and partially cover the pot. Let the potatoes simmer until they are fork-tender, which can take anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes depending on their size. When they are done, drain the potatoes and return them to the pot to keep them warm.
For the cured meats, you can choose from options like ham, salami, or prosciutto. These meats can be served as they are, sliced or in thin slices, as preferred.
Pickled items are also a traditional accompaniment to raclette. You can buy items like cornichons, gherkins, olives, and pickled onions from the store. These add a nice contrast to the rich, melted cheese and meat.
If you want to add some roasted vegetables to your platter of accompaniments, you can do so. Simply choose your favourite vegetables and roast them in the oven. Some options include winter root vegetables or thinly sliced onions.
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Serving raclette
To serve raclette, you'll want to have a variety of tasty accompaniments to go with the melted cheese. Traditional sides include boiled or steamed potatoes, cured meats, and pickled items. Small white potatoes, Yukon gold, or fingerling varieties are great choices for potato sides. As for meats, think ham, salami, or prosciutto. Pickled items like cornichons, gherkins, olives, and pickled onions can help cut through the richness of the cheese.
If you want to go beyond the traditional, roasted vegetables, crusty bread, and salads are also excellent choices to serve with raclette. You can even cook sausages or veggies on top of the grill if you're cooking at the table.
When it comes to drinks, a dry white wine or light beer pairs well with raclette cheese. But of course, any beverage of your choice will do!
As for the cheese itself, there are a few ways to melt it. A tabletop electric raclette grill is a popular choice, as it allows everyone to melt their own cheese as needed. If you don't have a raclette grill, a nonstick frying pan on a hot pot stove or cooktop stove can also do the trick. Just be sure to watch the cheese closely as it melts—you want it gooey, not burnt!
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Frequently asked questions
Raclette is a traditional Swiss dish made of melted cheese served with boiled potatoes, pickles, cured meats, and crusty bread. It is also the name of the cheese used traditionally.
The traditional way to melt raclette cheese is to hold a large wheel of cheese up to a fire and scrape the melted cheese onto bread or potatoes. Nowadays, people use tabletop electric raclette grills to melt the cheese, but you can also melt raclette cheese in a frying pan or in the oven.
If you can't find raclette cheese, other Swiss cheeses like Emmental or Gruyere can be used. In a pinch, even cheddar or gouda will work, as long as it is a hard or semi-hard cheese that melts well.
