What is Raclette?
Cheese and plenty of it...
The name "raclette" (pronounced ruck-lett or rah-klett)
refers to a type of cheese and to a meal with the same name. The
traditional dish can be described as melted cheese eaten with boiled
or roasted potatoes with small gherkins and onions. Modern electrical
appliances that are used to make the dish are called Raclette grills.
While the method of melting the cheese has changed over time the
meal is quite easy to prepare using the simplest of ingredients
and has been a long favourite for festive and fun interactive evenings.
With the tradition originating in Switzerland, Raclette, the meal,
is one of Switzerland's best loved national dishes and is very popular
in other parts of Europe such as France and Germany. The most famous
and best Raclette cheese is made in the alpine villages in the Swiss
Alps which has a very distinct flavour and excellent melting qualities
as well as being the main ingredient that makes the dish. Just like
the well known Classic
Cheese Fondue Raclette is another way of enjoying simple and
delicious cooking incorporating lots of interactivity and of course
lots of cheese.
Origin
Somewhere hidden in
the valleys of the Swiss Alps...
Raclette cheese originated
in the French speaking areas in the Alpine regions of the Valais
canton in Switzerland. While the process of melting cheese has
been around since ancient times, according to legends - local
farmers or herdsmen in the valleys of the Swiss Alps set up camp
for the night and the cheese that was laying around on stones
at meal time, melted near the open fire and some farmer scraped
it off the rock (not wanting to waste any of it of course), he
then tasted it and thought it tasted divine. The idea quickly
caught on amongst the group and this novel idea quickly spread
throughout the valley and so the cheese became well known as the
most ideal to melt. Other ingredients would accompany the meal
like gherkins (pickled cucumber) and small onions and to drink;
kirsch (cherry liqueur), herbal tea or Fendant (local white wine).
It was a filling meal and enjoyed for its great simplicity and
heartiness. The concept was simple and the melting of the raclette
cheese was to become a popular way to eat it. It was comfort food
at its best and the tradition eventually spread to other countries
beyond the Alps from visitors travelling from afar to enjoy the
famous ski resorts in the Valais region.
Copyright © 2003 - 2007 Raclette Australia
Pty Ltd (ACN 112 356 448)
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More in this section:
What is Raclette
Raclette Party Tips
The Raclette Meal
First Impressions
Have a look at our raclette grill models The
Gourmet or The
Entertainer. What a fun way to entertain up to eight dinner
guests.
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