The holidays are just around the corner, and we are so excited. We typically spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with family but love to host at least one or two get togethers with our friends. Most of the time we try to make something other than traditional Thanksgiving/Holiday food, since people are going to be eating that at other events. We did a fabulous porchetta one year, which was great, but this year, we are thinking of hosting a Raclette party!
What is Raclette?
Raclette is a delicious soft cheese produced in the French/Swiss alps. It has a distinctive flavor but is best known for how it melts so easily. Because of how it melts, its main use is literally to melt and pour it over meats, bread, potatoes, tomatoes, etc. Most French/Swiss families own a raclette grill that typically plugs in and comes with several small pans, for each individual to melt their own cheese as they please and pour it over prepared items, like those listed above. It’s especially popular in ski towns are a delicious apres-ski meal.
A raclette party is a great option for families or larger groups to have an interactive meal. Kids love melting their own cheese. And adults too for that matter. Because it requires your guests to essentially “cook” their own food, there’s little preparation involved on your end. Add a bottle of white wine and a simple salad and you have a fabulous meal everyone will remember.
Where to Buy a Raclette Grill?
A simple Google search will show you many different options for a raclette grill. I recommend to purchase one for at least 6-8 people, to allow as many people to participate as possible. They can be bulky, but it can be used for other purposes as well — think cooking meats on the table, a la Korean BBQ style. We have one that we pass between my parents, my brother, and myself, since we don’t use it frequently, and that works great too. The best places to shop for a raclette grill are Amazon, William Sonoma, and Sur La Table. Here’s a couple options at different price points.
Swissmar 8-person raclette grill — this is one of the more popular brands.
Hamilton Beach 8-person raclette grill — a more affordable option
Where to Buy Raclette Cheese and What Alternatives Do I Have?
Fortunately more and more grocery stores are carrying raclette cheese or raclette-style cheese. We’ve found it at Trader Joe’s frequently around the holiday season. Locally in Dallas, we’ve also found it at Scardello’s and Central Market as well. A lot of times the cheese already comes pre-sliced into thin squares that fit perfectly into the pan.
If you cannot find raclette, don’t fret. You can use other similar cheeses that melt well. I would suggest Emmental or Fontina as other options.
Serving the Raclette: What to Prepare
So you’ve found the raclette cheese and bought your grill. Now – what to prepare to serve with it? This is the fun part! There are SO many options. Our go-to spread typically includes:
- Boiled baby potatoes
- French Baguette
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Salami/Cured Meats
- Cornichons
Feel free to get creative — there are few things that don’t taste better with melted cheese on it. We also like to prepare a simple green salad with a classic vinaigrette. It helps to balance the richness of all the cheese. And finally, the meal wouldn’t be complete without a dry, crisp white wine. Best pairings would be:
- Chablis
- Riesling
- Muscadet
- Gruner Veltliner (There’s a Hungarian one at Trader Joes that’s typically in the $5-8 range that is honestly one of our favorites)
- Sauvignon Blanc
Dessert is optional — because after a belly full of cheese, it’s hard to indulge further. But, if you want to include a dessert option — my favorite French dessert is the classic apple tart. It’s a fun holiday recipe as well, because it’s not your classic American apple pie, but similar enough that it’s familiar for everyone.
Hope this inspires you to host your own Raclette party this year! If you do, it’ll surely be a party to remember with minimal prep and hassle on your end.
For more party recipes try our:
Smoked Salmon and Truffle Crostini
Spinach and Artichoke AranciniĀ