As in any cooking, use the best and freshest ingredients available.

Traditional Swiss Raclette

Classic or traditional raclette is a simple meal that can be enjoyed by all. Invite family and friends to discover the unique taste of Switzerland.

2 lbs / 1kg small new potatoes
1 ˝ lbs/ 800g Swiss raclette cheese, cut into slices

Side dishes:
A selection of dried meats, proscuitto, parma ham etc. Baguettes
Gherkins, pickled onions
Fresh pepper.

Wash the potatoes and boil them in their skin until cooked. Place the potatoes, cheese and all side dishes on the table. Place a slice of cheese into raclette dish and place under the grill to melt. When the cheese has melted scrape onto potatoes, gherkins and pickled onions. Grind fresh pepper on top and enjoy with a dried meats and baguette. Serves 8 Enjoy with a light white wine such as Swiss Neufchatel Blanc or California Fumé Blanc.

Tips:
Other cheeses such as Tilsit, Grey Alp Cheese, Appenzeller & Emmental can also be used.

Appetizers/Side Dish Ideas

Cheese Toast

Lightly toast slices of French or Italian bread on the grill plate. Place in a raclette dish and, if desired, sprinkle with white wine. Cover with a slice of cheese and slide the raclette dish under the grill. Cook 5 to 6 minutes. If desired, thin slices of bacon or ham, sliced mushrooms or onion rings can be cooked on the grill plate at the same time and serviced on the toast.

Grilled Potatoes

Slice small pre-boiled potatoes lengthwise, place in a raclette dish. Cover with a thin layer of cheese (or you can use spice mixes), slide the raclette dish under grill plate until cheese has melted.

Quesadillas

Grill green or red peppers, mushrooms and onions on the grill top. Place a slice of mozzarella cheese in raclette dish and slide under grill plate until cheese has melted. Place a tortilla on the grill top and fill with grilled vegetables and melted cheese. Fold tortilla over and flip it so both sides are browned. Cut and serve. You can also add your favorite meat and try different types of cheeses.

Main Dish Ideas

Meat

Cut meat into bite-size pieces. Depending on the thickness, grill the meat for approx. 2 – 4 minutes on each side. For a variety, try marinating your meat prior to grilling. For large or whole pieces of meat/chicken grilling time is approximately 15 minutes each side.

Fish and Seafood

Fish and seafood are particularly suitable for grilling. However, since their proteins are very sensitive to heat, be careful not to cook them at too high a temperature. Thicker fillets should be cooked on the (slightly oiled) grill top at medium heat.

Shishkabobs

Cut meat and vegetables such as onion, cherry tomatoes, peppers into bite-size pieces and add alternately onto wooden skewers, grill for approx. 3 – 5 minutes depending on thickness of meat. Another alternative is ham or chicken with peppers and pineapple.

You can substitute meat for shrimp or salmon as well.

Desserts

Savoy-style Pears

Peel, halve and core the pears and thinly slice. Melt butter in raclette dish and arrange the pears in a fan shape. Sprinkle with sugar and cook for a few minutes on top of the grill top until the pears are just soft. Pour some cream over them and slide the pans under the grill and cook gently until the sauce is slightly caramelized.

You can substitute pears for baking apples and add cinnamon for extra flavor.

Orange Cake

Lightly toast both sides of a slice of sponge cake. Place a slice in the raclette dish and, if desired, sprinkle with some orange liqueur. Slice an orange thinly, remove the pith, halve and arrange over lapping slices on the cake. Sprinkle thickly with coarse, raw sugar and bake under the grill for 5 – 6 minutes.

You can substitute oranges for peaches for a fresh summer flavor.