Discovering the raclette: an easy guide for beginners

Raclette

Share this post

Welcome to this new episode of Paulina Cocina. Today we present the most traditional and easiest raclette recipe . For those who've never made it or want to know other ways to prepare it.

This is a traditional Swiss dish that involves heating a cheese (called Raclette) until it melts and then serving it over boiled potatoes and accompanied by meats, vegetables , or whatever your heart desires.

About the raclette recipe

Raclette cheese is a traditional Swiss cheese of Valdosta origin that has become very popular around the world due to its unique flavor and versatility in the kitchen.

  • The traditional way to enjoy this cheese is to heat it until melted and then serve it over boiled potatoes and accompanied by meats and vegetables. A popular version of this recipe is with potatoes and caramelized onions.

What type of cheese is used in raclette?

Raclette cheese is the traditionally used cheese, yes, it is called that.

  • It is a semi-hard Swiss cheese with a mild, creamy flavor that melts easily .

However, other similar cheeses, such as Swiss Gruyère or French Comté, can also be used . We'll discuss possible substitutes for this recipe later.

raclette cheeses

What is raclette in Spanish?

The word comes from French and means "to scrape" or "to scrape ." In the context of the dish, it refers to the action of scraping melted cheese over potatoes and side dishes .

So the dish is named after this action of scraping the cheese over the potatoes.

Raclette grill (He who can, can).

It can also be prepared on a special grill called a "Raclette Grill ." This ultra-modern device allows you to easily heat the cheese right at the table and serve it with a variety of accompaniments.

Making cheese this way is a great option for sharing at a get-together with friends or family. This grill has several trays for heating the cheese directly. Here are some basic steps for using this type of grill :

  1. First, the grill is lit and heated for a few minutes before cooking begins.
  2. Meanwhile, cut the cheese into thin slices and place one slice on each grill tray.
  3. Once the cheese is melted, place the cooked potatoes and sides on individual plates.
  4. All that's left to do is place the melted cheese over the potatoes and sides. It's that easy.

This grill can also be used to cook meats or vegetables on the trays. After use, be sure to clean and store the grill in a cool, dry place.

It's important to remember that each grill may have specific instructions, so it's recommended to read the owner's manual before using it.

Other types of cheese that can be used

There are always a few ways to prepare this recipe, in case you can't get traditional cheese, I tell you that there are other cheeses that can be used to make a similar meal. 

Ideally, you want a cheese that also has a mild, creamy flavor and melts easily ; this is a key point for this recipe.

So what cheese replaces raclette?

There are several cheeses that can replace traditional cheese in a raclette dish. Gruyère cheese is one of the most common because it has a similar flavor and also melts easily.

Another French cheese that can be used is Comté , it is also a semi-hard cheese with a mild and nourishing flavor , it is an excellent option for those who want a flavor similar to Raclette.

If none of those work for you, other similar cheeses include Emmental , Appenzeller, and Tête de Moine . These cheeses are also ideal for use in raclette recipes.

Who created raclette?

Those who know say that this traditional dish of Valdosta origin in Switzerland was created by shepherds in the Swiss mountains several centuries ago . The shepherds used this cheese as an easy and convenient way to eat while working in the mountains.

The cheese was heated over a wood fire and served over boiled potatoes. Over time, the dish became a popular tradition in the regions of Switzerland and has spread to other countries.

You might also be interested in learning a recipe with a similar feel to this one. I present to you the original recipe for cheese fondue .

Traditional raclette recipe

  • Yields: 3 portions
  • Total preparation time: 1 hr

Ingredients

  • 500g raclette cheese (preferably sliced)
  • 4 medium potatoes (previously boiled)
  • Pinch of paprika 
  • Pinch of garlic powder

Preparation in 4 steps

  1. In a pot, bring water to a boil. Wash the potatoes thoroughly and cook them for 20 minutes in the covered pot with plenty of salt. When they're fully cooked, drain and set aside in a serving dish, sprinkled with paprika or garlic powder if desired.
  2. In a large ovenproof dish or raclette pan, place the cheese, cut into slices approximately 1/2 to 1 cm thick. Bake until the cheese is heated through, about 3 minutes, no longer. It's important to remove it before it melts too much.
  3. Then remove it from the raclette pan or from the dish and serve the melted cheese over the cooked potatoes. 
  4. Enjoy! You can also use asparagus, broccoli, pieces of bacon, or cooked meat.
raclette recipes

Vote and share this post!

To vote, click on the stars.

Average 4.8 between 8 votes

There are no votes yet! Be the first to vote!

I shared in your networks

More recipes with these ingredients

Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline feedbacks
See all comments
Subscribe to my YouTube channel so as not to miss recipes!
Subscribe to my YouTube channel
Related recipes