Raclette Recipes

HOW TO MAKE RACLETTE

Steps:

• If necessary, cut the raclette cheese to fit the coupelles or small trays under the raclette grill.
• Turn the raclette grill on to medium-high heat.
• If you are using bacon, place the bacon rashers onto the grill plate and cook until your liking.
• Use the bacon fat to cook the other ingredients.
• If you are not using bacon, simply brush the grill plate with some oil.
• Place some meat and vegetables on the hot grill plate.
• While the meat and vegetables are cooking on the grill plate, place a slice of raclette cheese into the coupelles or small trays, and place them under the heating element.
• The melted raclette cheese is usually served over the warm potatoes on your plate, which you should slice just before adding the cheese. But it is also common to place the melted cheese over the cooked vegetables. Some people even put slices of potatoes into the coupelles so that the cheese melts directly on top. Do as you please!
• Be careful to not overcook the meat on the grill plate.

RACLETTE

Steps:

• Start by making the vinaigrette. Put the mustard and red wine vinegar into a bowl or jug and whisk together. Add salt and pepper then slowly add the sunflower oil, whisking as you go until the mixture is thick and smooth. Stir in the chopped chives and store in the fridge until needed.
• Boil the potatoes for 15-18 mins or until tender. Drain, leave to steam dry for a few mins then add the butter, keep warm until serving.
• Arrange all the other ingredients in bowls, plates and platters on the table. Set up and turn on the raclette machine according to manufacturer's instructions - you may want to set the raclette machine on a heatproof tray to catch any melty cheesy drips.
• Let your guests help themselves to ingredients - if your raclette machine has a top hot plate use this to keep the potatoes warm or crisp them up and use to cook the peppers if you don't want them raw.
• Get stuck in! Everyone should have their own mini handled tray on which to put a slice or two of raclette cheese. This then sits under the central grill until melted. With an arrangement of potatoes and/or cured meats etc on their plate, your guests can then scrape their own portion of melted cheese on top with a wooden paddle or spoon. Leave the jug of vinaigrette on the table so it can be drizzled over the potatoes or salad leaves to taste. Serve with crusty bread on the side.

RACLETTE

Steps:

• To prepare the accoutrements: Boil the potatoes in a large pot of boiling salted water for about 15 minutes or until they're just tender. Drain the water from the potatoes and allow the potatoes to cool slightly. Cut the potatoes in half and transfer them to a platter. Arrange the baby zucchini, asparagus, broccolini and tomato slices on the platter alongside the potatoes. Place the cheese and prosciutto on another platter. Place the gherkins and onions in small bowls. Place the bread in a basket. To cook and serve: Place the raclette grill in the middle of the dinner table. Preheat the raclette grill according to the manufacturer's instructions. Brush the top griddle of the raclette grill lightly with some butter. Cook some of the potatoes, zucchini, asparagus and broccolini on the top griddle until they are golden brown and crisp tender, turning occasionally, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Transfer the grilled vegetables to plates. Repeat with the remaining butter, vegetables, salt and pepper. Meanwhile, have each dinner guest place a slice of cheese onto their individual cheese tray, topping it with a slice of tomato or grilled vegetables, if desired, and slide it under the broiler of the raclette grill for about 5 minutes or until the cheese melts, bubbles convincingly and is brown around the edges. While the cheese melts, this is a good time to eat a few slices of ham and some gherkins. Have the dinner guests remove their trays from under the broiler and spoon the melted cheese onto the grilled potatoes on their plates, sprinkle with paprika and pepper, and eat with the grilled vegetables and accoutrements. Since it takes about 5 minutes or so for each slice of cheese to cook, it's a good idea to put a new slice of cheese under the broiler as soon as you've scraped the last one onto your potatoes. That way you can keep them coming.

RACLETTE

Steps:

• Have a knife ready and small plates to serve. Arrange potatoes, pickles, onions, caper berries, ham, and tomatoes on a serving platter. Place cheese on a clean stone or a heatproof board or tile as close to the fire as possible. As the top of the cheese melts, scrape off cheese onto potatoes and accompany with garnishes. It takes some time between servings for the cheese to continue to melt, so have some wine or kirsch handy to keep guests happy.