Kamil Perry
Raclette is a Swiss dish made of melted cheese, traditionally served with boiled potatoes and various charcuteries. The cheese is semi-hard and sliced thickly (less than 1 cm) before being melted and grilled. It is not eaten raw. The mild varieties have a characteristic pungency, and supermarkets and cheesemongers stock a wide selection of raclette cheese, from classic mild to those flavoured with peppercorns, chillies, or garlic. At home, raclette is served using a table-top grill, where the cheese is melted in small pans called coupelles. The grill plate is used to cook meat and vegetables, although it can be customised to individual preferences.
How to use Raclette Cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Raclette is a semi-hard cheese, sliced thickly (less than 1 cm) and used for melting and grilling. It is not eaten raw. |
| Cheese Flavours | Classic mild, peppercorn, chilli, garlic, smoked, blue cheese, cheddar, brie |
| Equipment | Raclette machine, tabletop raclette grill, electric raclette grill, cast iron skillet, frying pan, hot pot stove, non-stick frying pan |
| Temperature | Medium or medium-low heat |
| Accompaniments | Boiled/steamed potatoes, cornichons, gherkins, olives, pickled onions, cured meats (ham, salami, prosciutto), grilled vegetables, beef fillet, sausages, marinated meats, shrimp, bread, garlic sauce, creamy curry sauce, sweet and sour sauce |
| Occasions | Holidays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve, parties |
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What You'll Learn
Melting raclette cheese
Raclette is a traditional Swiss dish of melted cheese served with boiled potatoes and various charcuteries. The raclette cheese round is heated, either in front of a fire or by a special machine, and then scraped onto the diner's plate. The modern way of serving raclette involves an electric tabletop grill with small pans, known as coupelles, in which slices of raclette cheese are melted. The grill is usually surmounted by a hot plate or griddle.
To melt raclette cheese, you can use a tabletop electric raclette grill, which is the most common method. The cheese is brought to the table sliced, accompanied by boiled or steamed potatoes, vegetables, and charcuterie. These are then mixed with potatoes and topped with cheese in the small wedge-shaped coupelles that are placed under the grill to melt and brown the cheese. You can also use a frying pan on a stove or a hot pot stove with a nonstick frying pan to melt the cheese and bring it to the dining table.
If you are using a raclette grill, turn it on to medium-high heat. Cut the raclette cheese to fit the coupelles or small trays under the grill. If you are using bacon, place the bacon rashers onto the grill plate and cook until your liking. Use the bacon fat to cook the other ingredients. If you are not using bacon, simply brush the grill plate with some oil. Place some meat and vegetables on the hot grill plate. While the meat and vegetables are cooking, place a slice of raclette cheese into the coupelles or small trays and place them under the heating element.
If you don't have access to a grill or hot pot stove, you can melt the raclette cheese in a frying pan over your cooktop stove. You can also melt raclette cheese under the broiler in a cast-iron skillet. Place the sliced cheese under the broiler and let it melt until it starts to bubble, then scrape off the melted cheese with a knife.
Raclette cheese is a semi-hard cheese that is thickly sliced (less than 1 cm) and used for melting and grilling. It is not intended to be eaten raw. The mild varieties have a characteristic pungency, so it is a dish for cheese lovers. Raclette cheese is usually sold in wedges or already sliced for convenience. If you cannot find raclette cheese, you can substitute it with other cheeses such as gouda, cheddar, or brie.
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What to serve raclette with
Raclette is a Swiss dish of melted cheese, traditionally served with boiled or steamed potatoes and various charcuteries. Here are some ideas for what to serve raclette with:
Potatoes
Boiled, steamed, or fingerling potatoes are a classic side to serve with raclette. You can also try small white potatoes, Yukon gold, or even sweet potatoes. Potatoes can be sliced and placed in the coupelles so that the cheese melts directly on top.
Pickles
Pickled items like cornichons, gherkins, olives, and pickled onions add a tangy contrast to the rich, melted cheese.
Charcuterie
Cured meats such as ham, salami, prosciutto, or dry-cured meat are typical accompaniments to raclette. You can cook the meats on the raclette grill or serve them cold.
Vegetables
Grilling vegetables on the raclette grill is a great way to round out the meal. Onions, bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, and corn are all good options. You can also serve the melted cheese over steamed broccoli.
Bread
Bread is another classic pairing for raclette. Try spreading garlic butter on the bread before grilling, or draping the melted cheese over a hunk of crusty bread.
Meat
Meats such as beef, pork, or shrimp can be grilled on the raclette cooktop, adding variety to the meal. You can also cook sausages or marinated meats for a different flavor profile.
Remember, raclette is a versatile dish, and you can customize it to your liking. Enjoy experimenting with different combinations of sides and toppings to find your perfect raclette pairing!
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Raclette cheese alternatives
Raclette is a Swiss dish of melted cheese served with boiled potatoes and various charcuteries. It is usually made with a raclette grill, but can also be made under a broiler or in a toaster oven. If you're looking for an alternative to raclette cheese, there are several options that will work well with this style of serving:
- Comté is a great substitute for raclette, offering a nutty and slightly sweet flavor. It melts smoothly and can also be used on a cheeseboard.
- Taleggio has a creamy texture and a fruity tang. It melts easily and can be paired with rustic breads and jams.
- Havarti has a gentle, buttery flavor and melts like a dream. It pairs well with grapes and cold cuts.
- Gouda has a rich, creamy flavor with a slightly sweet, caramel essence. It melts effortlessly and is versatile, pairing well with apples and crusty bread.
- Gruyère is a Swiss cheese with a similar melt and nutty flavor to raclette. It is a good option for fondue or grilling.
- Tilsit has a similar texture and meltability to raclette, although it has a milder flavor.
- Mild cheddar can be used as an alternative, although it tends to split and get greasy.
- Brie is another substitute that melts well.
In addition to these options, any good melting Swiss cheese, such as Appenzeller, can be used in place of raclette cheese.
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Raclette grilling methods
Electric raclette grills, sometimes called "partyclettes", are a popular way to serve raclette for a group. These grills have a central heating element that warms non-stick paddles loaded with slices of raclette cheese. Some models also include a cooking surface above the paddles where meat, vegetables, and seafood can be grilled. If you're grilling for just one or two people, a candle-powered mini raclette grill can be used to melt the cheese.
Tabletop raclette grills are another option for melting raclette cheese at home. These grills have small pans called coupelles that are placed under the heating element to melt the cheese. The grill plate can be used to cook meat and vegetables. If you don't have a tabletop raclette grill, a frying pan on a stove can also be used to melt the cheese. It's important to use medium or medium-low heat to avoid burning the cheese.
Some raclette grills use stones or cast iron cooktops instead of a standard grill plate. These grills leave grill marks on the food and retain heat well, allowing the cheese to brown properly.
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Raclette cheese storage
Raclette cheese is a semi-hard cheese that is sliced thickly (less than 1 cm) and used for melting and grilling. It is not intended to be eaten raw. It is typically sold in wedges or already sliced.
Raclette cheese can be stored in the fridge, but it can give off a strong smell. It keeps for a while, and if you have any leftover, it can be used in omelets, on white pizza, Flammkuchen, in pasta sauce, or anything that uses cheese.
If you are storing leftover melted raclette cheese, it is important to note that it tastes best when warm. You can keep it warm by using a hot pot stove with a non-stick frying pan, which allows you to bring the cheese to the dining table. An induction hot plate can also be used to set the temperature and prepare additional cheese at the table.
If you are storing leftover unmelted raclette cheese, it can be melted again using a frying pan on a stove. It is important to use medium or medium-low heat to avoid burning the cheese.
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Frequently asked questions
Raclette is a semi-hard cheese that is sliced and used for melting and grilling. It is not eaten raw. The cheese originated in the French and Swiss Alps and is named after the French verb "racler", which means "to scrape".
Raclette cheese is usually melted using a tabletop electric raclette grill. The cheese is placed in small pans called coupelles, which are placed under a heating element. If you don't have a raclette grill, you can use a frying pan on a stove or a hot pot stove with a non-stick frying pan.
Raclette cheese is traditionally served with boiled or steamed potatoes and various charcuteries. Other foods that go well with raclette cheese include grilled vegetables, marinated meats, and bread.
