Raclette: introducing the melted cheese of your dreams

Name: raclette
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 2 lbs. raclette cheese (wedge or half wheel); 2-3 lbs. Yukon gold or red potatoes (sliced into quarters); 2 tablespoons olive oil; salt & pepper (to taste); raclette cheese melter; chef's knife (to scrape cheese); large bowl

Food & Drinks, Savory Foods, Trendy Foods & Drinks, Vegetarian

What is raclette?

Raclette is a semi-hard cow’s milk cheese from Switzerland with a rich and nutty flavor. It is commonly shaped into a giant wheel of cheese that is sliced and held to an open flame or another heat source. Once a layer melts, it is commonly scraped off onto bread, vegetables or meat. (“Racler” means “to scrape” in French.)

It can be vegetarian, depending on what it’s served with. Raclette cheese itself is made from cow’s milk, so it’s not suitable for vegans, but it can be paired with vegetarian-friendly accompaniments.

Videos of this melty cheese have frequently gone viral due to its seductively gooey nature when melted and scraped…

Origin

This Swiss dish of melted cheese is said to have been created centuries ago when French-speaking shepherds of Valais would have to bring non-perishable food to the Swiss Alps. This food included potatoes and cheese. As the legend goes, the potatoes would be cooked over an open fire and, by accident, the cheese was kept nearby and began to melt. The cheese was then scraped onto the potatoes, which became a satisfying meal and a part of Swiss cuisine.

How is raclette served?

Raclette can be served melted and scraped onto various savory accompaniments including

crusty bread: rustic sourdough, French, etc.
vegetables: potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, mushrooms, etc.
meats: burgers, hot dogs, short ribs, steak, salami, prosciutto, etc.
pasta: macaroni, penne, linguini, etc.

Where can I get it?

If you’re a cheese lover, raclette is definitely something you must try for yourself, if you haven’t already. It can be found in select French and Italian restaurants across the country. Here are some places along the east coast and west coast that serve this cheesy dish.

Hollywood, FL: La Flambee

New York, NY: Raclette NYC

San Francisco, CA: Mission Cheese

Los Angeles, CA: Majordomo

raclette los angeles california restaurant — Majordomo on Instagram

Seattle, WA: Fire and Scrape

There’s even a place in Izmir, Turkey called Sir Winston Optimum that had added raclette cheeseburgers. to its menu.

How can I make it?

Making raclette dishes at home is relatively easy. Here’s a recipe for this melted cheese dish that you can also save for later on Glutto. You just need a few things to enjoy this satisfyingly melty cheesy meal in the comfort of your own home:

raclette

gooey melted cheese to top savory dishes

Ingredients

2 lbs. raclette cheese (wedge or half wheel)
2-3 lbs. Yukon gold or red potatoes (sliced into quarters)
2 tablespoons olive oil
salt & pepper (to taste)

Tools (see "Recommended Products")

raclette cheese melter
chef's knife (to scrape cheese)
large bowl

Instructions

preheat oven to 450°
in a large bowl, mix potatoes with olive oil, salt and pepper until evenly coated
spread potatoes out evenly on a roasting pan
bake for 20 minutes, then place on a serving plate
just before serving, hold the sliced side of the cheese up to the melter/flame until it begins to soften and melt
scrape the melted cheese with a knife onto the potatoes and enjoy