Raclette is a semi-firm, creamy cheese made in Switzerland and France from cow's milk. This creamy cheese melts easily without becoming too runny or separating easily, making it an ideal melting cheese. Thanks to this ability to melt so well, the term "raclette" also describes a Swiss dish consisting of boiled potatoes, bread and gherkins covered with a layer of melted raclette cheese. The most traditional way of melting raclette -- heating half a wheel and scraping off the melted cheese with a knife -- is cumbersome and difficult, and today the accepted way to melt raclette is with a grill designed for the purpose.
Instructions
1. Place the raclette grill in the middle of your dining table if you plan to enjoy melted raclette cheese with guests. Turn the grill on and allow it to preheat for approximately 20 minutes.
2. Remove one of the raclette dishes from the grill.
3. Place a slice of raclette cheese onto the raclette dish, then return the dish to its slot in the grill. Let the cheese melt until it reaches your desired consistency. You can remove the dish as soon as the cheese is melted, or leave it in the grill longer to achieve a golden-brown skin on the cheese.
4. Remove the raclette dish from the grill and scrape the melted raclette cheese out with a fork or scraper (which may be included with the raclette grill). You may scrape the cheese out over boiled potatoes and gherkins for a traditional Swiss meal or use it for any other dish that requires melted cheese.
Tags: raclette cheese, cheese with, melted raclette, melted raclette cheese, boiled potatoes, creamy cheese