| Raclette... what the heck is raclette?Well, | | | | and varied. I've tried to include a couple of |
| think of it as a combination of fondue and | | | | the best ones and will continue to add more |
| BBQ. It's the most fun way to have a party or | | | | as time goes on. There are endless varieties |
| a gathering or a celebration for your | | | | and ways in which to use this wonderful mode |
| family.It's special. It's unique. And you'll | | | | of cooking.Below are some of my favorite |
| amaze your friends when you invite them over | | | | recipes and some information about cheese and |
| for a different kind of dinner. It's the name | | | | indoor grilling. Enjoy and grill to your |
| of a meal that can be an entire meal or just | | | | heart's content!Traditional Swiss |
| as a fun appetizer.The name comes from the | | | | |
| practice of melting cheese and the French | | | | Classic or traditional Swiss Raclette is a |
| word "racler" meaning "to scrape."History | | | | simple meal that can be enjoyed by all. |
| buffs will tell you that this custom of | | | | Invite your inlaws or boss's family to |
| melting cheese began on the faraway hillsides | | | | discover the absolutely unique and yummy |
| of the Valais region of Switzerland. This is | | | | taste of Switzerland.What you'll need: |
| recorded around the end of the 19th century. | | | | |
| During the fall when life got chilly, and the | | | | - 2 lbs/1kg small new potatoes |
| wine harvest was coming to an end, the grape | | | | |
| harvesters would bring their bagged or sacked | | | | - 1 1/2 lbs/800g Swiss Raclette cheese, cut |
| lunches made up of a little loaf of brown | | | | into slicesSide dishes: |
| bread, sometimes some cheese, and always, a | | | | |
| bottle of wine.As legends are told, the | | | | - A selection of ham, such as proscuitto, |
| custom of raclette began with the men | | | | parma ham etc. |
| stabbing a piece of cheese with a large buck | | | | |
| knife. They would then go to the fire made up | | | | - Baguettes |
| for warmth and hold the stabbed cheese over | | | | |
| the fire. As the cheese made contact, it | | | | - Gherkins, pickled onions |
| would start to melt. The result was a | | | | |
| beautiful golden texture just perfect for | | | | - Fresh pepper.First, wash the potatoes and |
| sopping up with bread or whatever else they | | | | boil them in their skin until cooked. Place |
| had in their sacks.As the men slowly scraped | | | | the potatoes, cheese and all side dishes on |
| the melting cheese, others recognized how | | | | the table. Place a slice of cheese into a |
| good it all tasted. And good it was! So | | | | raclette dish and place under the grill to |
| begins a custom of grilling cheese that has a | | | | melt. When the cheese has melted scrape it |
| long tradition in both Switzerland and | | | | onto the potatoes, gherkins and pickled |
| France.Grilling Raclette cheese is only part | | | | onions.Grind fresh pepper on top and enjoy |
| of it.Not only will you be thrilled with this | | | | the melted cheese concoction you just made |
| fun and easy way to entertain, but anybody | | | | with your choice of ham and a piece of warm |
| you introduce to it will immediatly want to | | | | baguette. This serves 8 people. |
| have their own grill.These recipes are many | | | | |