Raclette (Swiss Melted Cheese with Potatoes)
In short: Slices of raclette cheese melted until bubbling and scraped over hot boiled potatoes, with tart pickles and a dusting of paprika. It takes about 55 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 40 min
- Total
- 55 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 690 kcal
Raclette is both a cheese and a meal. Each diner melts a slice of cheese in a small pan under a heater, then scrapes it over boiled potatoes and adds pickles, pepper and paprika. The name comes from the French word racler, to scrape. It is a slow, relaxed winter dinner closely linked with the Valais region.
Instructions
- Put the potatoes in a pot of cold salted water, bring to a boil and cook for 20 to 25 minutes, until a knife slides in easily. Drain and keep them warm in a covered dish lined with a clean cloth.
- Set up a raclette grill with small pans, or heat the oven grill (broiler) to its highest setting.
- Place a slice of cheese in each small pan and slide it under the heating element for 3 to 5 minutes, until the cheese bubbles and is flecked with brown at the edges.
- Scrape the melted cheese over a few split potatoes on your plate. Season with pepper and a dusting of paprika.
- Eat with cornichons and pickled onions, then melt the next slice. Repeat until everyone has had enough.
- Without a raclette grill, melt the slices in small ovenproof dishes under the hot broiler for about 4 minutes, and scrape each portion over the potatoes at the table.
Tips
- Raclette cheese is sold in many supermarkets as pre-cut slices or as a wedge. If you cannot find it, use Gruyère, a young Appenzeller or another good Alpine melting cheese.
- Sliced mushrooms or small tomatoes can be warmed in the pans before the cheese for those who want them. Keep the potatoes warm so they do not cool the cheese.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between raclette and fondue?
In fondue, grated cheese is melted into wine in one pot and eaten with bread. In raclette, slices of cheese are melted under heat and scraped over boiled potatoes. Both are shared Swiss winter meals.
Do I need a raclette grill?
No, although it makes the meal more fun. You can melt the slices in small ovenproof dishes under a hot broiler, or on a tray in a 230°C (450°F) oven, until they bubble.
What do you drink with raclette?
Dry white wine or hot black tea are the usual choices in Switzerland, because they are said to make the rich cheese easier to digest. Cold, fizzy drinks are traditionally avoided.
How long does it take to make Raclette (Swiss Melted Cheese with Potatoes)?
About 55 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 40 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Raclette (Swiss Melted Cheese with Potatoes)?
About 690 kcal per serving, with 40 g of protein, 37 g of carbohydrates and 42 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 690 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 40 g |
| Carbohydrates | 37 g |
| Fat | 42 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 1150 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
