Raclette cheese is the base of a famous winter meal in France and Switzerland.
Raclette consists of melted cheese, served over boiled potatoes with charcuterie and optionally various other ingredients.
While it is perfect for “après-ski”, you will love it even in Perth for the following reasons:
1. Raclette is extremely convivial
During a raclette party, cheese, charcuterie and other plates keep going around the table and contribute to creating a warm and relaxed atmosphere.
2. Raclette is ideal when hosting friends
Typically from 4 to 8 people depending on your raclette cooking tool(s).
3. Raclette is extremely easy to prepare
The preparation is limited to buying the right ingredients, cutting the cheese, cooking potatoes, setting the table and serving plates.
NB: do not forget to cook the potatoes as this would make a raclette “sans patate” which is funny when you know the film “Les trois frères (1995)” but isn’t quite as good…
4. Everyone is cooking, including guests
During a raclette party, everyone has to take care of his own mini pan making sure that it is not burning and constantly refilling it.
The hosts can enjoy the meal as much as their guests...
5. Raclette is sufficient to itself
Because raclette is a pretty rich dish (to say the least) and people tend to eat more than usual, there is no need to prepare anyting else such as an entrée. It would be one of the only occasion (with fondue) for the French not to expect a cheese platter after the main dish.
A fruit salad for dessert will be greatly appreciated for its freshness.
Do not consider having a chocolate fondue unless you are really looking for challenges…
6 reasons why you should eat Raclette
& where to find in Perth and Fremantle
6. Left overs can be used for lunch boxes
It is quite usual to end up with a fair amount of left overs.
Mash the potatoes, add a bit of milk and lay the raclette on top, this will make a gorgeous gratin.
Raclette cheese is also great on pizza.
What you need
Per person (A$30) without wine:
300g of raclette cheese (A$20)
150g of charcuterie (A$7)
300g potatoes (A$2)
Various additional ingredients (A$3)
Raclette grill: from A$80
Raclette cheese
Raclette is a cow's milk cheese from the French speaking area of the Switzerland’ Alpes.
Raclette comes from the French word "racler” (to scrape) due to the way the cheese is scraped off the cheese block.
Raclette cheese is typically sold in one peace, i.e. not pre-cut.
The only thing required to do before serving is to slice it in 4 to 5mm thick pieces which can fit in the mini pans.
Raclette cheese costs from A$60 per kg and can be found in the following places in Perth and Fremantle:
Charcuterie
You can choose any charcuterie you like such as ham, salami, coppa…
Bündnerfleisch (viande de grison) is typically served with raclette … There a quite a few specialized deli where you can find Charcuterie most are Italians... You can also find quite a huge variety at our Partner Little Sister.
Potatoes
Potatoes only need to be boiled in their skins until they're done. Put them either on the table in a covered pan or on top of the raclette grill to keep warm while the cheese is cooking.
Note that potatoes are usually still in their skin when served. Skin removal would typically be left to the diners.
last updated 11-July-2017
Various additional ingredients (optional)
Various additional ingredients can be offered. The most typical would be ground black pepper, small pickled onions and gherkins (cornichons), tomato, onion, mushrooms… Quail eggs (oeufs de caille) can also be added.
Raclette cooking tool
While there are two types of raclette cooking tools (the swingarm and the grill), we could only find the raclette grill in Perth and online. The grill is less traditional but is easier to use and offers more diversity as other ingredients can be grilled and potatoes can be kept warm when placed on top of the grill.
Raclette grill can be found here:
Other Perth retail stores may sale raclette grills on a temporary basis.
How to serve in France
Once the table is set as previously described, each guest takes a slice of cheese and puts it in his mini pan, tops it with any additional ingredient he likes and slides it under the grill.
This is a good time to remove the potato skin and get some charcuterie and other ingredients you may fancy.
When the cheese is strongly sparkling, remove the mini pan from the grill, scrape the contents with a small wooden spatula on top of the potato. Put a new slice of cheese and place it under the grill. Enjoy while your next serve is being cooked.
Serve with a dry white wine (e.g. a dry Chenin Blanc or Riesling). A low profile red wine can also make a splendid pair (e.g. chilled pinot noir). A refreshing light beer would also be a more than viable option..
In addition to raclette cheese, other cheese can be proposed such as Morbier (some would call it Morbiflette), Tomme de Savoie, Saint Nectaire, Beaufort, Cantal or Blue cheese.
Check our page "10 best French cheese and where to find them in Perth and Fremantle" to locate the fromagerie near you.
This video will sum it all up going through the basics. Enjoy!
Special thanks to our partner, Little Sister Delicatessen, without whom we would not have been able to publish this article.
Don't hesitate to contact us if you want to submit any suggestion to improve this article.
How to serve in Switzerland
a special thank you to Jean-Pierre for contacting us and giving us all the information for this paragraph!
In French Speaking Switzerland (Suisse Romande) there are a few differences on how to serve Raclette. The cheese used comes maintly from the Valais Region and you can also find the dried meat to replace the viande des Grisons.
Traditionally, there is only cheese and potatoes served. The charcuterie (cooked meat) and other sides came with tourism.
After eating a Raclette, in addition to the fruit salad they will also enjoy savouring some pineapple with kirsh as well as pear and apricot sorbet with some Williamine or Abricotine which are two fruit liquors distilled in Valais Region of course!
Booking is essential for the Raclette as featured on The West Australian, Please call 08 9388 1122 to check the availability of this dish.
On 21nd of October 2017 you will be able to taste delicious Raclette at Frencheese coming all the way from Frencheese from Melbourne and from French in Town from Perth
At Lot 20, every Sunday from May to September from noon to 8:30pm, the crew here heats up their grill for raclette (melted cheese) good times. For $25 you can get yourself a plate of smoked leg ham, serrano, Hungarian salami, pickled veggies, roasted potatoes (with melted Heidi Farm Raclette cheese on top) and a baguette. Bookings are essential, get in before the raclettes run out!
Raclette cheese parties have launched in Perth! :-) Book now for a great cheesy night with your friends in the comfort of your own home. Contact them at frenchintown@outlook.com.
Booking is essential for the Raclette don't forget to Book for the RACLETTE to avoid disappointment! Call them on 93880454
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