| Yes, the fondue pot of the 70's was pretty cheesy, | | | | - small cooked potatoes |
| but in this century, nothing is more cheesy than | | | | - small gherkins |
| raclette. In recent years fondue pots have | | | | - pickled onions |
| experienced a resurgence in popularity, and with | | | | - charcuterie meats such as salami or proscuitto |
| them has come the raclette grill. Though not | | | | You can also get very creative with a raclette meal. |
| traditionally well known in the US and Canada, raclette | | | | A departure from tradition - but an adventure in |
| is suddenly experiencing a boom in popularity. | | | | taste - could include: |
| Raclette is a semi-soft, relatively mild, easily melted | | | | Raw meat for grilling and dipping into sauces: |
| cheese from Switzerland. The term also refers to | | | | - Italian sausage cut into 1/4" slices |
| the cooking method of melting cheese at a tabletop | | | | - Chicken tenderloins cut into 1" pieces |
| grill and serving with a variety of accompaniments. | | | | - Beef tenderloin cut into 1/2" cubes |
| Legend has it that the original method for melting the | | | | - Shrimp and Scallops |
| raclette cheese began when Swiss herdsmen | | | | Thinly sliced cheeses: |
| settled down for the night in their camps. They | | | | - Brie |
| placed a hunk of cheese near their campfire and as it | | | | - Camembert |
| melted, scraped it off onto a slice of bread. | | | | - Oka |
| Today, this same meal is mimicked but with much | | | | - Cheddar |
| greater variety of foods, and with electric raclette | | | | - Cambezola |
| grills that are much more convenient. Though the | | | | Vegetables, blanched to al-dente, such as: |
| melting method has changed over the years, this | | | | - Mushrooms |
| simple and entertaining meal has remained just as | | | | - Broccoli |
| enjoyable for entertaining evenings with friends and | | | | - Cauliflower |
| family. | | | | - Asparagus |
| There are several kinds of raclette grills that you can | | | | Here are two excellent recipes for dipping sauces for |
| choose from. Traditional raclette grills hold a half- or | | | | your meats and vegetables: |
| quarter-round of raclette cheese on an angle, with a | | | | Pimento Sauce |
| heating element melting the surface of the cheese, | | | | 3/4 cups mayonnaise |
| which drips onto a plate of dried meats and other | | | | 1/4 cup sour cream |
| accompaniments. | | | | 2 tablespoons tomato sauce |
| Today, the most common raclette sets include a | | | | 1/2 cup canned pimentos or 1 red bell pepper, |
| cheese-melting element with a grill for cooking meats | | | | roasted with skin removed |
| at the table. They provide up to 8 people with | | | | Salt and pepper, to taste |
| individual cheese pans and feature non-stick, | | | | Blend all ingredients in a blender. Season to taste. |
| dishwasher safe surfaces for convenience and easy | | | | Serve chilled. |
| cleanup. Perfect for entertaining! | | | | Cucumber Garlic Sauce |
| Portable raclette using fondue-type burners are also | | | | 1/2 cup mayonnaise |
| available for camping and picnicking. | | | | 1/2 cup plain yogurt |
| A raclette grill can provide not only a delicious, | | | | 1/2 cup sour cream |
| hot-off-the-grill meal, but also provide a lot of fun for | | | | 2 gloves of garlic, finely chopped |
| family and friends. For optimum enjoyment, serve | | | | 1/2 teaspoon salt |
| traditional raclette with a Fendant or other | | | | 1/4 cucumber, peeled and finely chopped |
| light-bodied dry white wine. If you are grilling meats, | | | | 1 tablespoon of finely chopped chives or green onion |
| serve a wine appropriate for the meats. | | | | 1 teaspoon finely chopped parsley |
| A traditional Swiss raclette meal uses raclette cheese | | | | 1 tablespoon granulated sugarfresh ground pepper |
| with the following accompaniments: | | | | Mix well all ingredients. Serve chilled. |
| - baguette bread | | | | |