Raclette has been making a lot of appearances on all social networks in recent years. It is in particular, thanks to its consistency and texture, that make it the ideal cheese for an interesting visual cooking show!
But this cheese has, among other things, a rich history that begins in the heart of the Swiss Alps, where it was invented as a way to warm up after a long day on the snowy slopes.
Read more about it and learn to combine it perfectly with different ingredients, but also with wines!
What is Raclette?
It is an alpine cow’s milk cheese, with a firm, smooth and creamy texture, ivory pale yellow in color with small irregular holes, it has an edible orange-brown rind and is quite expensive.
The taste of raclette will vary slightly depending on the region in which it is made, but generally it has a floral aroma and tastes nutty, fruity, spicy and milky.
The primary producer is Switzerland, but its factories can also be found in France. While Swiss cheese can be stronger in flavor, with a slightly floral, buttery and slightly pungent taste, French cheese is smoother and buttery.
How is Raclette made?
It produces exclusively from unpasteurized cow’s milk using traditional production methods.
Its taste comes from high-quality milk, from grass-fed cows and special bacteria that produce lactic acid.
The cheese is shaped into rounds, the pressed rounds are soaked in a salty brine and coated with a mixture of yeast.
The rounds are then placed in the cellar on red pine benches where they age for three to six months. During this process, the cheese is washed and turned at regular intervals.
How does Raclette taste?
The cheese has a creamy texture and a salty, slightly sweet, nutty taste.
It is also known as a fairly aromatic type of cheese, the smell of which becomes stronger the longer it ages.
There are also flavored versions that include herbs and spices such as pepper, garlic and truffle.
How to dissolve Raclette?
In the oven
Cut the cheese into smaller cubes or medium-thick slices.
Place the cheese on individual oven-safe plates. Grill the cheese on the plates over low to medium heat until the cheese melts.
In the microwave
Cut the cheese into smaller cubes and place them in a microwave-safe bowl with a lid.
Heat the cheese in the microwave for about 1 minute, stirring each time, until the cheese is completely melted.
How does she eat Raclette?
| Simply scrape the melted cheese onto the food you’ve cooked. |
| Baby potatoes – serve boiled and peeled baby potatoes whole, cut in half or mashed and covered with hot cheese. Try our oven baked potato recipes where you can add the cheese right in for the last few minutes of baking |
| Pastry – slice it and then dip it in melted cheese |
| Pickles – are a traditional choice for Swiss feasting, as are pickled onions, which are a great flavor complement to the rich cheese |
| Sausages – ham, salami and other meat products go well with cheese. In Switzerland, special dried beef called viande séchée is commonly served with Raclette. Choose cold cuts such as prosciutto (read more about this Italian ham in our article ), salami and chorizo. |
| Vegetables – mushrooms, peppers, broccoli, zucchini, asparagus, cauliflower and bok choy go well with cheese, or prepare classic grilled vegetables like this |
| Additional ingredients – you can also choose from a variety of unique side dishes such as apple slices, sun-dried tomatoes, walnuts, roasted garlic and mushroom slices |
| Wine, beer and dry cider are excellent accompaniments to this cheese (see wine pairings below) |
Wine pairing
Dry sparkling wines:
- champagne
- Prosecco
Dry white wines:
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Riesling dry
- Chenin Blanc Dry
- Pinot Grigio (Italy)
Dry red wines with low tannin content:
- Pinot Noir
- Cabernet Franc
- Barbera
- Lambrusco
What to replace Raclette with?
If you don’t have cheese on hand, look for similar cheeses with a similar melting power, such as Swiss Gruyère, Emmenthal and Vacherin Fribourgeois, or French Beaufort and Comté.
Storage
To store cheese in the refrigerator, wrap it in waxed or parchment paper and place it in a ziplock bag or plastic container.
If mold forms on it, trim it thoroughly. Raclette can be kept in the fridge for up to six weeks.
It can also be frozen for up to three months without adversely affecting its taste and texture. Thaw the cheese overnight in the refrigerator before using.
Where to buy Raclette?
You probably won’t find it in a traditional store, you’ll probably find it more successfully in specialized cheese stores or online stores.
This cheese is quite expensive, so it will cost a little more than some of the cheeses available in the market. Its price starts at 600 CZK per kilo.
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