You are looking to buy or have already bought a raclette grill, however, you aren't sure how to use it!
The raclette grill is the perfect way to entertain friends and family all year round. It's easy to use, affordable, and fun for all ages.
With this guide, we'll show you how to set up your raclette grill, what foods are best cooked on one, and give you some great ideas that will make your next raclette dinner party unforgettable!
What Is Raclette?
Raclette is a traditional Swiss dish going back hundreds of years ago and is particularly popular in Switzerland and France, and other Alpine countries.
Raclette served in Switzerland restaurants traditionally includes a "Scraper" serving of scraped raclette cheese as it heats up from a table close to a fire away from customers which is served over boiled potatoes, and accompanied by pickled onions, gherkins, dried meat, and so on. However, in France, restaurateurs often place a raclette oven directly on the table, and guests scrape the cheese for themselves as it becomes ready.
Raclette (which comes from the French verb "racler", which means to scrape) is referring to the type of cheese used and the serving dish.
Nowadays, you can take the shared experience home as there are some great raclette grills available to buy at very reasonable prices!
A raclette grill used at home is cooking equipment that is still great indoors and is usually powered by electricity and doesn't produce much smoke, although some units are powered by charcoal or propane which are best outdoors unless great smoke extraction is in place.
How To Use a Raclette Grill
Are you ready to take your next meal to the next level of entertainment? If you haven't tried grilling a raclette meal, you're in for a treat!
Raclette grills are perfect for cookouts and parties because they allow everyone to customize their own meal to their liking.
Plus, they're super easy to use - just follow these 3 simple steps, and you'll be entertaining like a pro in no time!
Step One: Preheat Your Grill
Most raclette grills come with adjustable temperature settings, so make sure to set it to the correct heat before starting to cook.
If you're unsure, a good rule of thumb is to start on the lower end and then increase the heat if needed, however with a number of home raclette grills with a stone, it takes the highest heat to really get a good cook going.
Step Two: Start Cooking
Nowadays, raclette at home includes meat and vegetables being placed on the top portion of the grill, and at the same time, somewhat thick slices of raclette cheese is cooked in little vessels on the bottom portion of the grill (often Teflon coated for non-stick).
Once the meat and veggies are cooked, you take them off and put them onto your own plate (that's right, everybody can serve themselves!), and the melted cheese is layered (or drizzled) over the top - yum!
Be sure to have some grilled bread handy so that you can soak up all of those delicious juices and sauces!
While raclette grills are typically used for cooking meats and vegetables, they can also be used to cook other food items including eggs, pancakes, and anything else you think will work well. There is no one raclette recipe - get creative and have fun!
Step Three: Clean the Grill
When you're finished eating, it's time to clean up. Most raclette grills have removable parts that can be washed in the dishwasher - how easy is that?
Make sure to give everything a good clean (without damaging your unit) before putting it away so that it's ready for next time.
Great Foods on a Raclette Grill
Looking for some raclette ideas, or inspiration? Here are a few of our favorite foods that we cook on our raclette grill that you can mix and match to create awesome raclette recipes:
- Grilled Steak and Veggies: This classic combination is always a winner, especially when paired with a garlicky melted cheese or raclette cheese sauce. Melt cheese (buy raclette cheese as it's best for this type of dish) and add veggies, and while not my favorite, many people like sliced mushrooms.
- Grilled Cheese Sandwiches: Raclette grills are also perfect for making gooey, melty grilled cheese sandwiches.
- Grilled Potatoes: Tired of the same old boiled potatoes? Give them a delicious upgrade by cooking them on your raclette grill and add some sour cream!
- Grilled Fruit: Raclette grills aren't just for savory foods - they can also be used to cook sweet, grilled fruit.
- Pancakes: Try cooking your favorite pancake recipe on a raclette grill! Whether you're craving sweet or savory, there's something to love about this versatile cooking tool.
To Sum Up
Not too many people eat raclette at home, so, are you ready to pave the way and host a raclette party at home? Whether you're grilling up your favorite meats and veggies or experimenting with unique combinations, these versatile grills are sure to take your next evening of entertainment to the next level.
Get out there and start experimenting today!
