During our years spent living abroad, many of our European friends
would enjoy the Swiss tradition of a Raclette dinner during the cold winter
months. This past holiday season we
decided to make it our new Christmas Eve tradition.
What is Raclette, you’re thinking? Raclette refers to an electric
grill used to melt Raclette cheese and grill meats and veggies. Some traditional grilling options are fish,
poultry, vegetables and bread. Think of
it as a cross between hibachi and fondue.
While your food is cooking on the surface of the grill, there are
individual trays for each guest to melt their own cheese. After the cheese has bubbled, you then scrape
the cheese off onto your plate over the food.
The name Raclette is from the French word “Racker” which means “to
scrape.” This dish is commonly served
with boiled potatoes and pickles.
How it Began
This Swiss tradition dates as far back as 1291 where farmers and
herdsmen would make a meal of cheese melted by the open fire. As the cheese melted they would scrape it off
the wheel, and serve with potatoes and pickles.
Pairing Options
It is said that no other beverage other than wine should ever be
served with Raclette. So who am I to
argue with a 700-year-old tradition?
Most Europeans looking to pair a wine with Raclette will choose a wine
from their own particular region, so there isn’t necessarily any one perfect
pairing option. The broader
recommendation is to choose a dry French wine or a mild red depending on your
menu choices. Many suggest a Pinot Noir
if your dinner dictates a red wine as it’s considered a good fit with the
cheese.
What Makes it so Great?
Raclette is a great way to entertain guests and enjoy the company
of friends and family. My particular
Raclette serves 8 people as it comes with 8 individualized cheese melting trays,
but other sizes are available as well.
Guests can choose their favorites among your food choices, and place
them on the grill themselves while waiting for their cheese to melt to
perfection.
If you really want to experience living like the Swiss, I not only
suggest making Raclette your new winter tradition but suggest you book a home
exchange in one of International Vacation Home Exchange’s luxury
homes. Their properties are located in
70 countries around the world including Switzerland! You can choose this Swiss chalet
or this Ski house, just to name a few. As delicious as our Raclette dinner was it
could only be better enhanced by enjoying it after a day of skiing the Alps,
sitting by a crackling fire and, of course, pairing it with a wine purchased
from a local vineyard.
Thank you to Travel Writer Lisa Medeiros (www.lisamedeiros.com). Follow her on twitter @lisamedeiros_