A Passion For Raclette

Why not gather family and friends around a Raclette grill to share fun times and delicious flavours that are sure to be a hit? This simple meal is so much fun—and oh so tasty, too! We’ve put together a selection of great ideas that will please everyone on Valentine’s Day.

Raclette: Then... and now

Raclette cheese originates from the Swiss region of Valais, and the word Raclette now refers to both the meal and the cheese itself. In the past, a half-wheel of Raclette would be placed near an open flame to melt the cheese.

Today, Raclette grills make it all so much easier. Just place it in the centre of the table so everyone can create their own Raclette plate. Another plus? All your Raclette ingredients can be prepared in advance.

The traditional raclette usually includes...

Cheese

In addition to traditional Raclette cheese, you can also use Camembert, Brie, sharp Cheddar, Emmental, Gorgonzola, Gouda, Gruyère, mozzarella, and Monterey Jack.
Take advantage of your Raclette feast to try out local cheeses, like La Station’s Le Comtomme, Le Gré des Champs from Au gré des champs and Le Tomme de Grosse-Île from the cheesemaker on Ile-aux-Grues.
Plan for between 125 and 150 g (4 to 5 oz.) of cheese per person.
Cut cheese into thin slices.

Meat, Chicken, Fish, and Seafood

Plan for between 125 and 150 g (4 to 5 oz.) per person.
Marinate meats overnight for maximum flavour and tenderness.
Be bold! Serve up some wild game to get your guests’ creative juices flowing.
Cook meat ahead of time (e.g., sausage, braised beef) or serve thinly sliced raw meat (e.g., fondue beef or chicken).
Fish, scallops, and shrimp cook quickly and are perfect for serving with Raclette.

Fruit, Vegetables, and Seasoning

Raclette goes best with fruits such as apples, pears, plums, apricots, figs, mango, and papaya. Just dice them up so guests can wrap them in cheese and melt them in Raclette plates.
Most vegetables need to be blanched first.
Serve boiled whole fingerling potatoes (new potatoes are delicious too) with skins on. Plan for about 3 potatoes per guest.
A green salad is the perfect side dish!
Don’t forget the condiments: Salt, pepper, paprika, Dijon mustard, sauces (hoisin, fondue sauces, etc.).
And Raclette simply isn’t Raclette without the pickles and marinated onions!

Show Your Love for Raclette

Quebec

Raclette cheese
Sliced apple or pear
Blanched broccoli, in chunks
Onions
Hard-boiled eggs
Ham
Mushrooms

Wine Accompaniment: Red Caballero de Chile, Chile

Swiss

Swiss cheese
Cooked fingerling potatoes
Smoked ham
Dried beef
Pepper and paprika

Wine Accompaniment: White Silverthorne, Australia

Wild Mushroom

Goat cheese
Coffee mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms
Oyster mushrooms
Red peppers

Wine Accompaniment: Red Caballero de Argentina, Argentina

Italian

Mozzarella cheese
Prosciutto
Cherry or sun-dried tomatoes
Salami
Chopped peppers

Wine Accompaniment: Red Vellagio, Italy

Surf and Turf

Gruyère-type cheese
Béchamel
Dried beef
Smoked salmon
Shrimp
Scallops
Red onion
Asparagus
Pepper

Wine Accompaniment: White Caballero de Chile, Chile

Exotic

Raclette cheese
Pineapple
Mango
Curry
Cumin

Wine Accompaniment: Champs Élysées rosé, France

Raclette for Brunch

Raclette is the perfect meal to serve for simple, delicious morning get-togethers! You have so many options to choose from. We suggest a Raclette recipe that you can easily personalize for you and your loved ones.