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