Christmas is over, the days are short and cold with the New Year quickly approaching. Hosting a Raclette dinner is the perfect way to ring in the new year. It’s an easy, no hassle, stress free way to bring family together. Everyone always seems wiped out from all the Christmas preparations, which makes hosting a Raclette dinner the perfect solution to celebrate with family and friends. It’s something that doesn’t require a lot of work, it’s unique, it’s simple, relaxing and fun.
Several years ago while visiting family in Germany my aunt and uncle treated us to a Raclette dinner. We arrived for the evening and on the table were plates of assorted sliced deli meats, sliced cheeses, sliced cooked potatoes, and a colorful assortment of sliced veggies. At the center of the table sat a Raclette grill.
This meal, with its simple ingredients was the most memorable meal of our entire trip. We spent a leisurely, relaxing evening around the table, cooking our food, drinking wine, savoring each bite and thoroughly enjoying each other’s company and conversation.
Until that evening I had never heard of a Raclette (pronounced rah-klett). In doing a little research I discovered, Raclette is not only the name of a tabletop grill but it is also the name of a cheese from Switzerland. The Raclette meal, originated in Switzerland but it has become very popular in other parts of Europe such as France and Germany.
The traditional Raclette meal is described as melted Raclette cheese eaten with boiled (or roasted) potatoes, small gherkins and pickled onions. The Raclette cheese is made in the alpine villages of the Swiss Alps. It has a very distinct flavor and excellent melting qualities and is used as the main ingredient in a traditional Raclette meal.
Modern electrical Raclette grills are now used and provide the grilling mechanism for melting the Raclette cheese in individual trays (officially called Raclette pans), usually about six to eight, with a grill or hot stone on top that is used to grill foods.
The meal uses a variety of simple ingredients which allows your guests to pick the foods they love best. Hosting a Raclette meal guarantees a fun, festive, interactive evening for you and your guests. And best of all, preparing to host a Raclette meal requires minimal effort.
Hosting a Raclette dinner is by far much easier than hosting a traditional dinner party. Having a raclette meal is an experience where everyone does their own cooking directly at the table using the table top grill. As the host you only need to do some basic preparation of the ingredients beforehand. The work (the cooking) your guests do themselves while they are at the table.
Slice cheeses.
Since Raclette cheese can be difficult to find here in the United States, there are plenty of other great cheeses available at your supermarket that are suitable for Raclette cooking. Any cheese that melts well can be used; Swiss, Gruyere, Emmental, Jarlsberg, Mozzarella, Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Gouda, Havarti, Camembert or Brie are several delicious alternatives. All of them are melty and gooey when heated, which makes them perfect for the Raclette.
Boil or roast, and slice potatoes.
Russet, red potatoes, Yukon gold, use whatever you have on hand. Potatoes are the base for the meal.
Slice bread.
We love a nice crusty loaf of sourdough baguette, but a dark rye bread or whole grain bread would be equally delicious.
Arrange sliced meats and cold cuts.
Favorites include, ham, turkey, roast beef, and bratwurst.
Prosciutto and bacon are also tasty choices.
Salami is another delicious addition.
Sliced pepperoni is great for making mini pizza bites.
Cut up extra accompaniments.
This is the fun part and by no means an exhaustive list. I’ve listed just a few of our favorites to give you some ideas and get you started. You are only limited by your imagination. Pick your favorites.
Pickles
Sweet peppers.
Mushrooms.
Onions.
Thinly sliced and grilled on the grill, they add a wonderful sweetness to everything.
Carrots & broccoli.
Asparagus.
Tomatoes.
Butter or Olive Oil.
Tip: Set out butter or cooking oil for the grill top, it will prevent foods from sticking. Placing a dab of butter in the Raclette tray gives the potato or sliced bread extra flavor as it cooks.
The beauty of hosting a Raclette party is that, as the host, you are free to spend the evening with family and friends instead of attending to food preparations in the kitchen. Preparing for a Raclette dinner is simple and can be done hours beforehand and ingredients can be stored in the refrigerator until it’s time to eat.
When guests ask what they can bring, ask them to bring their favorite bottle of wine to share or a dessert. You could also ask guests bring some of the ingredients. It will have them wondering why they were asked to bring sliced mushrooms or mini dill pickles, sliced cheese or sliced deli meats. Since there is no precooking required, this shouldn’t be too much trouble to ask of your guests.
To ensure everyone gets their fair share of cheese and other ingredients, you can choose to allocate a plate with a selection of all the ingredients for each person or to share between two. This also makes all the ingredients easily within reach and reduces the need to pass various dishes around the table.
Any leftovers from your dinner can easily be used as pizza toppings or to make an omelet or in a quiche the next day, so there is no waste.
Almost anything goes with a raclette dinner party and after some short preparations before your guests arrive you can sit back, relax and enjoy the occasion. Using a raclette grill allows you to get back to enjoying simple and nutritious foods and appreciate the art of eating as much as the food.
Menu Themes for Raclette Parties
The following themed Raclette meals are by no means an exhaustive list of all the items that you can use, it’s just some ideas to get your imagination going.
The Classic Raclette Meal
Set out an assortment of sliced cheeses, sliced cold cuts, sliced cooked potatoes, baby dill pickles, and an assortment of vegetables.
Pizza Themed Raclette
This one is especially popular with kids. Instead of potatoes use French bread baguette slices, top with a little pizza sauce and cheese. While cheese is melting in the raclette tray, kids can cook desired toppings on the grill.
Mexican Fajita Raclette
Marinate thinly sliced beef or chicken in fajita seasoning. Grill seasoned meat, sliced onion and sliced peppers on the grill. Toast flour tortillas on the grill. Melt cheese in Raclette tray. Serve with a side of Spanish rice, refried beans, sour cream, sliced olives and salsa if desired.
Surf & Turf Raclette
In addition to an assortment of veggies and cheeses, set out prawns, shrimp, scallops, sliced steak meat, sliced salmon or other fresh fish to cook on the grill. Serve with co*cktail sauce, steak sauce or tartar sauce for your guests.
Dessert Raclette
Set out cubes of pound cake, sliced strawberries, raspberries, sliced bananas, mini marshmallows, chopped nuts and chocolate chips. Cook in a Raclette tray until hot and melted. Top with either ice cream or whipped cream, or both! Kids will enjoy topping their dessert creations with colorful candy sprinkles.
Breakfast Raclette
Fry bacon and sausage, and cook up some pancakes on the grill top. Pour beaten egg into a Raclette tray with a potato slice, add cheese and assorted veggies to make an omelet or use it in a flour tortilla that can be toasted on the grill top to make a breakfast burrito. Place a slice of bread in the Raclette tray, top with cheese and an egg to make a breakfast sandwich. Grill French toast on the grill top and serve with maple syrup and fresh berries. The options are endless!
Sauces:
- A-1
- Horseradish
- Sour cream
- Ranch dressing
- Pizza sauce
- Hot sauce or salsa
- Mustard
Because of the variety of ingredients used with a Raclette meal, the spread you set out can look extremely colorful and appetizing when everything is sliced and displayed in pretty little serving dishes. So have fun finding imaginative ways to slice up and display ingredients and always buy the best and freshest produce you can find.
TIP: Slice items as thinly as possible so they cook quicker.
A Raclette meal is an occasion where the choices are up to the guests themselves allowing you to sit back, have fun, take your time and truly relax and enjoy the satisfaction of entertaining at home.
It really is an ideal dinner party idea or just something special for the whole family to enjoy, especially the kids – it will surely become a favorite occasion in your home during cold winter evenings.
You are only limited by your imagination!
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This post has been updated; originally posted December 2019.
