Raclette

The summer months are gone, and for most of us, it is too cold to have a braai with our friends.
A great alternative is to have a Raclette party at home.
For those who are not familiar with Raclette, it is a dish originating from Switzerland.
The history behind the dish is that peasants and cow herders in the Alpine regions carried cheese with them. In the evening the cheese would be placed next to a campfire to soften and melt. It was then scraped onto bread.

Today it is done on a Raclette grill and eaten with potatoes, gherkins, pickled onions, corn and cold meats.
A hot beverage like tea or white wine is served with your meal.

So what do you need?

You will need a Raclette grill. You can buy it at most online shops like Raclette.de Amazon or Media Markt

There is a variety of grills, some are combined with a Fondue pot, others have a grill plate on top and often a combination of a grill plate and a hot stone.
They come with little pans called coupelles, which are placed under the grill. My experience is that you need at least two per person.

Grocery list for a traditional Raclette meal

Boiled baby potatoes
gherkins
pickled onions
corn
cold meats such as salami and ham
Chicken or beef strips
Raclette Cheese
White Wine

Grocery list - South African Twist / modern

Bacon bits (not traditional but works well)
Beef or chicken strips (not traditional but works well)
Mushrooms (not traditional but works well)
Small sausages like Nürnberg Rostbratwurst (not traditional but works well)
Shrimps / Prawns
Peppers
Dates or cherries wrapped in bacon
Pineapple
Avocado topped with Feta cheese

How to prepare and serve

Switch on the raclette grill and let it heat up.
Lightly oil the grill plate, then fry your choice of meat, sausage, bacon, or mushrooms.
Fill your pan with potatoes, and top with gherkins, pickled onions, corn, your fried items, and optionally, cold meats (or enjoy the cold meats on the side).
Place a slice of raclette cheese on top and slide the pan under the grill.
Relax with family and friends, sipping wine or Kirsch, while your food grills.
Once the cheese is melted and golden, use a small spatula to slide the food onto your plate.
Prepare your next pan while your meal cools slightly.
Enjoy!

Tips

Serve apple slices with your raclette! Apples help cut through some of the richness of all the melted cheese and salty meat.
Raclette dining is meant to be slow and easy so take your time.
Raclette cheese is easy to find in Germany. You can also use other cheeses like Gruyere or Emmentaler.
South African flavour – add some Mrs Balls chutney to your food before you add the cheese. We have a list of shops that sell South African Products.
Marinate your meat strips
Paprika or Chilli powder works well with cheese.
Gaan bos! Fry and grill whatever you feel like.

Dessert Ideas

Bananas
Berries
Marshmallows (small)
Figs
Pears
Chocolate
Cookie crumbs for a base or use flapjacks/small pancakes
Dessert Ideas (in German)

Something different

Flammkuchen – Slice pre-made Flammkuchen dough into squares that will fit the pans. Add Cream cheese, and your choice of toppings (bacon spring onion, salami) and grill
Pizza – Try making mini pizzas. Use pizza dough, spread some with tomato paste/sauce on the dough and add, other toppings like mushrooms and a lot of mozzarella cheese
For breakfast, grill mini flapjacks and top them with sweet options like berries and chocolate, or go savoury with scrambled eggs and cheese.
For another hearty idea, fill your pan with sautéed mushrooms, crispy diced bacon, and fresh herbs. Crack an egg over the mixture, sprinkle with cheese, and grill until the egg is cooked to your liking. Serve with toast or a slice of baguette for a delicious meal!
Nachos -Layer tortilla chips with cheese and grill until melted. For extra toppings, add fried mince, sautéed peppers, or black beans for a flavorful twist.
Pasta – Pre-cook small pasta shapes, ravioli, or gnocchi in advance. Place your pasta in the pan, top it with pre-made sauces and cheese, and grill until golden and bubbly. For extra flavour, include pre-cooked vegetables like broccoli, mushrooms, onions, or bell peppers. You can also add pre-cooked mince or crispy bacon for a hearty twist.
Pancakes – Pre-mix a pancake batter. Add toppings (berries, bananas, chocolate, Nutella) and put under the grill. Add a sprinkle of icing sugar or a twirl of chocolate sauce.