Kamil Perry
Raclette is a popular semi-soft cheese from Switzerland that is often served melted at festivals and Christmas markets. The cheese is traditionally served on or with potatoes, pickles, or bread. Raclette cheese is known for its mild flavour and fantastic texture, and it is often grilled on a raclette machine or oven. While Raclette cheese is the traditional choice, other melty cheeses such as mild cheddar, brie, or Swiss cheeses like Vacherin Fribourgeois, Alpkase, and Red Witch can also be used as alternatives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Switzerland |
| Texture | Semi-soft |
| Ingredients | Milk, water, salt, rennet, starter cultures, cheese smear (cheese culture) |
| Melting point | 104°F (40°C) |
| Common accompaniments | Bread, potatoes, pickles, boiled ham, salami, garlic butter |
| Alternative cheeses | Brie, cheddar, Swiss cheese of similar size and texture (e.g. Vacherin Fribourgeois, Alpkase, Red Witch, Fontina Val d'Aosta), Ogleshield |
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Raclette cheese
Raclette is a popular semi-soft cheese from Switzerland. It is usually melted and served with potatoes, gherkins, and bread. Raclette cheese has a mild flavour and a fantastic texture and is traditionally served melted. It is made from cow's milk and has a low melting point of 104°F (40°C).
The name "raclette" refers to both the cheese and the dish, with "la raclette" being the cheese in its melted form, and "le raclette" referring to the cheese itself. Raclette cheese is often served at festivals and Christmas markets, and it is a popular meal in Germany during the holidays.
If you are unable to find Raclette cheese, or if you prefer a different type of cheese, there are several alternatives that can be used. Some people suggest using a mild cheddar, brie, or any other melty cheese. If you are in the UK, Ogleshield is a good alternative, as it has a similar texture to Raclette and melts well. Other suggestions include Swiss cheeses such as Vacherin Fribourgeois, Alpkase, Red Witch, and Fontina Val d'Aosta.
Raclette is typically prepared by melting the cheese and scraping it onto a plate using a spatula. It is then eaten with the potatoes and pickles, rather than being scraped onto them. In restaurants, it is common to offer unlimited servings of Raclette, although most people only eat one or two portions.
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Other Swiss cheeses
Raclette is a popular semi-soft cheese from Switzerland. It is traditionally served melted and has a mild flavour and a fantastic texture. It is often served with potatoes, pickles, and bread. Raclette cheese is typically made from cow's milk, with its only other ingredients being milk, water, salt, rennet, starter cultures, and cheese smear (cheese culture).
If you are unable to find Raclette cheese, or are looking for a different option, there are several other Swiss cheeses that can be used as substitutes. These include Vacherin Fribourgeois, Alpkase, and Red Witch. Fontina Val d'Aosta, while not Swiss, is another recommended alternative. For those in the UK, Ogleshield is a suitable alternative with a similar texture to Raclette and excellent melting properties.
- Le Marechal: This cheese is similar to Raclette in terms of texture and flavour. It has a creamy, nutty taste and melts well, making it a good option for those looking to recreate the traditional Raclette experience.
- Gruyere: A well-known Swiss cheese, Gruyere has a slightly stronger flavour than Raclette but still melts well and can be used in a similar manner.
- Appenzeller: This cheese has a unique, complex flavour with notes of fruit and nuts. It melts well and can add a distinct flavour to your dish.
- Emmentaler: Also known as Swiss cheese, Emmentaler is a classic Swiss cheese with a mild flavour and excellent melting properties.
These alternative Swiss cheeses can be used to create a similar experience to traditional Raclette, or to add a unique twist to this popular Swiss dish.
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UK alternatives
Raclette is a popular semi-soft cheese from Switzerland, traditionally melted and served with potatoes, pickles, and bread. It is a highlight of festivals and Christmas markets and is often served in restaurants in Switzerland.
If you are in the UK and are unable to find Raclette cheese, there are some alternative options with a similar texture that are excellent for melting. One option is Ogleshield, made in Somerset by the same producers as Montgomery's cheddar. Another option is to use a mild cheddar, which can be sliced and served to those who may not enjoy the stronger flavour of Raclette. Brie is another suitable alternative, as are Swiss cheeses with a similar size and texture to Raclette, such as Vacherin Fribourgeois, Alpkase, or Red Witch. Fontina Val d'Aosta is also recommended as an alternative.
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Melting methods
Raclette is a popular semi-soft cheese from Switzerland, often served melted at festivals and Christmas markets. It is traditionally melted and served with potatoes, pickles, and bread. Raclette cheese has a melting point of 104°F (40°C) and can be melted using various methods and tools. Here are some melting methods for Raclette cheese:
Traditional Raclette Grill
A Raclette grill is a popular way to melt Raclette cheese. It typically has a stone or cast iron cooktop that can grill meats and vegetables while melting the cheese from below. The grill provides direct heat to the cheese, creating a bubbly, browned top that adds to the taste and texture.
Toaster Oven
If you don't have access to a Raclette grill, you can use a toaster oven to melt Raclette cheese. Place a slice of cheese in a non-stick pan and cook it until it starts to bubble. Then, use a silicon spatula to scrape the melted cheese onto a plate. This method may not provide the same level of browning as a Raclette grill, but it is a suitable alternative.
Fireplace or Table Near a Heat Source
In the traditional Swiss style, Raclette cheese can be melted near a fireplace. If you don't have a fireplace, you can set up a toaster oven or another heat source near your dining table. Each guest can take some potatoes and pickles, and then start melting the cheese. Once the cheese starts to melt, use a spatula or knife to scrape it onto a plate for serving.
Other Melting Methods
Raclette cheese can also be melted using various other methods, depending on your preferences and available equipment. Some people use electric grills, candlelit grills, or oven broilers to melt the cheese. You can also experiment with different types of pans, such as non-stick or cast-iron pans, to find the best melting results.
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Accompaniments
Raclette is a popular semi-soft cheese from Switzerland that is traditionally served melted. It is often served with potatoes, gherkins, and other accompaniments such as pickled onions and garlic butter. The cheese is melted and then scraped onto a plate, where it is eaten with the chosen accompaniments. It is considered a casual meal and is often served with a Swiss white wine from the Valais region, such as a Fendant. Some insist that hot tea is the only drink to have with raclette, but most people choose to have tea after the meal.
If you are unable to find Raclette cheese, there are several alternatives that can be used. Some people choose to use other melty cheeses such as mild cheddar or brie, while others suggest Swiss cheeses with a similar texture such as Vacherin Fribourgeois, Alpkase, or Fontina Val d'Aosta. If you are in the UK, Ogleshield is a good option as it has a similar shape, texture, and melting properties to Raclette.
In addition to the traditional accompaniments of potatoes and pickles, people also like to add their own favourite toppings to their raclette. Some popular choices include boiled smoked ham, salami, and mini potatoes with garlic butter. For vegetarians, grilled vegetables are a great option. Marinated meats and shrimp can also be added to the grill for a unique and fun dining experience.
Raclette is a very versatile dish that can be customised to suit different tastes and dietary preferences. It is a popular meal during the holidays and cold months, as it is a people-pleaser that allows everyone to create their own perfect combination of toppings and melted cheese.
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Frequently asked questions
Raclette is a popular semi-soft cheese from Switzerland. It is often served melted on potatoes, pickles, or bread.
Raclette is a mild, semi-soft cheese made from cow's milk. It has an edible rind and a fantastic texture and flavor.
If you cannot find Raclette cheese, you can use other melty cheeses such as mild cheddar, brie, or Swiss cheeses like Vacherin Fribourgeois, Alpkase, or Red Witch.
Raclette is traditionally served melted. Each guest takes some potatoes and pickles, then uses a spatula to scrape the melted cheese onto a plate. The cheese is eaten with the potatoes and pickles, not scraped onto them.
Raclette is often paired with Swiss white wine, such as a Fendant from the Valais region. Some people insist on drinking hot tea with Raclette, but others prefer to enjoy the tea afterward.
