| Raclette... what the heck is raclette? | | | | and place under the grill to melt. When the |
| | | | cheese has melted scrape it onto the |
| Well, think of it as a combination of fondue | | | | potatoes, gherkins and pickled onions. |
| and BBQ. It's the most fun way to have a | | | | |
| party or a gathering or a celebration for | | | | Grind fresh pepper on top and enjoy the |
| your family. | | | | melted cheese concoction you just made with |
| | | | your choice of ham and a piece of warm |
| It's special. It's unique. And you'll amaze | | | | baguette. This serves 8 people. |
| your friends when you invite them over for a | | | | |
| different kind of dinner. It's the name of a | | | | A wonderful wine to drink with this meal is a |
| meal that can be an entire meal or just as a | | | | light white wine such as Swiss Neufchatel |
| fun appetizer. | | | | Blanc or California Fumé Blanc. |
| | | | |
| The name comes from the practice of melting | | | | Other cheeses such as Tilsit, Grey Alp |
| cheese and the French word "racler" meaning | | | | Cheese, Appenzeller & Emmental can also be |
| "to scrape." | | | | used. |
| | | | |
| History buffs will tell you that this custom | | | | Brie Raclette |
| of melting cheese began on the faraway | | | | |
| hillsides of the Valais region of | | | | Brie Raclette is a new twist on an old |
| Switzerland. This is recorded around the end | | | | tradition. As our tastes evolve and time is |
| of the 19th century. During the fall when | | | | always of the essence, substituting the |
| life got chilly, and the wine harvest was | | | | traditional Raclette cheese with Brie is a |
| coming to an end, the grape harvesters would | | | | tasty and satisfactory solution. |
| bring their bagged or sacked lunches made up | | | | |
| of a little loaf of brown bread, sometimes | | | | Finding Raclette cheese isn't always easy. |
| some cheese, and always, a bottle of wine. | | | | So, when in a hurry, try this recipe using |
| | | | Brie cheese instead. A Brie Raclette will |
| As legends are told, the custom of raclette | | | | melt faster and the cheese is very easy to |
| began with the men stabbing a piece of cheese | | | | find in your local grocery store. |
| with a large buck knife. They would then go | | | | |
| to the fire made up for warmth and hold the | | | | What you'll need: |
| stabbed cheese over the fire. As the cheese | | | | |
| made contact, it would start to melt. The | | | | - 1 1/2 lbs brie cheese, rind removed |
| result was a beautiful golden texture just | | | | |
| perfect for sopping up with bread or whatever | | | | - 1 1/2 lbs tiny new potatoes or boiling |
| else they had in their sacks. | | | | potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces |
| | | | |
| As the men slowly scraped the melting cheese, | | | | - 1 1/2 lbs broccoli, thick stems removed, |
| others recognized how good it all tasted. And | | | | tops cut into florets |
| good it was! So begins a custom of grilling | | | | |
| cheese that has a long tradition in both | | | | - 1 1/2 lbs mushrooms, halved or mushrooms, |
| Switzerland and France. | | | | quartered if large |
| | | | |
| Grilling Raclette cheese is only part of it. | | | | - 2 Tbsp cooking oil |
| | | | |
| Not only will you be thrilled with this fun | | | | - 1/2 tsp salt |
| and easy way to entertain, but anybody you | | | | |
| introduce to it will immediatly want to have | | | | - 1/2 cup cocktail onions |
| their own grill. | | | | |
| | | | First, heat the oven to 400°. Cut the Brie |
| These recipes are many and varied. I've tried | | | | into thin slices and divide the cheese among |
| to include a couple of the best ones and will | | | | four small ovenproof dishes or ramekins. |
| continue to add more as time goes on. There | | | | |
| are endless varieties and ways in which to | | | | Next, put the potatoes in a large saucepan of |
| use this wonderful mode of cooking. | | | | salted water. Bring to a boil and simmer for |
| | | | 10 minutes. Add the broccoli florets to the |
| Below are some of my favorite recipes and | | | | pan and simmer until the potatoes and |
| some information about cheese and indoor | | | | broccoli are tender, about 5 minutes longer. |
| grilling. Enjoy and grill to your heart's | | | | Remove the broccoli with a slotted spoon and |
| content! | | | | drain on paper towels. Drain the potatoes |
| | | | and, if using new potatoes, cut them in |
| Traditional Swiss | | | | quarters when cool enough to handle. |
| | | | |
| Classic or traditional Swiss Raclette is a | | | | Meanwhile, toss the mushrooms with the oil |
| simple meal that can be enjoyed by all. | | | | and salt. Put the mushrooms on a baking sheet |
| Invite your inlaws or boss's family to | | | | and roast until browned and tender, turning |
| discover the absolutely unique and yummy | | | | once, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the pan from |
| taste of Switzerland. | | | | the oven and then turn the oven off. |
| | | | |
| What you'll need: | | | | Put the dishes of cheese in the oven and |
| | | | leave until the cheese just melts, 5 to 10 |
| - 2 lbs/1kg small new potatoes | | | | minutes. Meanwhile, pile the potatoes, |
| | | | broccoli, mushrooms, and cocktail onions on |
| - 1 1/2 lbs/800g Swiss Raclette cheese, cut | | | | individual plates. Serve each portion of |
| into slices | | | | melted Brie immediately, along with the |
| | | | vegetables for dipping. |
| Side dishes: | | | | |
| | | | Wine recommendation: Try the wines of the |
| - A selection of ham, such as proscuitto, | | | | Loire Valley in France, such as a Chinon or |
| parma ham etc. | | | | Saumur-Champigny. The fruity flavor not only |
| | | | complements this raclette dinner, but will |
| - Baguettes | | | | make you feel warm, loved and oh so good! |
| | | | |
| - Gherkins, pickled onions | | | | Voila! There you have a beautiful meal to be |
| | | | enjoyed by all. A truly tasty cheesy treat. |
| - Fresh pepper. | | | | Enjoy! |
| | | | |
| First, wash the potatoes and boil them in | | | | Important: Feel free to republish this |
| their skin until cooked. Place the potatoes, | | | | article on your website. However, you are not |
| cheese and all side dishes on the table. | | | | allowed to modify any part of its content and |
| Place a slice of cheese into a raclette dish | | | | all links should be kept active. |