This article will teach you how to make raclette step by step in a number of different ways. Raclette is a dish that has melted cheese or a fondue, poured over plain potatoes (prepared anyway you wish) and served with a side dish of pickles and pickled onions.http://www.raclette.com.au/raclette_info/what_is_raclette.htmlhttp://www.gourmetsleuth.com/Articles/Entertaining-Holidays-651/raclette.aspx Raclette is a simple dish, but it is a flavorful dish.

Raclette originated in Switzerland, in the French speaking areas of the Swiss Alps. It is said to be founded by farmers, who would set up camp in different locations. They would then take blocks of cheese that they had with them, and melt them near the fire. People would use this melted cheese and pour it over their meals.http://www.raclette.com.au/raclette_info/what_is_raclette.html Historians can pinpoint this dish all the way back to the year of 1291, when it was called Bratchas.http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/Articles/Entertaining-Holidays-651/raclette.aspx

Raclette cheese comes in large blocks, weighing around 13 to 17 pounds. It is made from cow's milk, which gives the cheese a creamy texture and easy melting abilities, just like Swiss chocolate.http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/Articles/Entertaining-Holidays-651/raclette.aspxhttp://www.raclette.com.au/raclette_cheese/ The cow's main source of food is grass, and the Swiss believe that the quality of the grass provides good quality milk.http://www.raclette.com.au/raclette_cheese/ The main raclette cheese name brands are Gomser, Conches, Bagn, named for the villages in Switzerland in which they came from.http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/Articles/Entertaining-Holidays-651/raclette.aspx

• Raclette machine or raclette grill
• Raclette knife
• Serving platters
• 200 to 250g raclette cheese, enough per person portioned out in rectangular blocks or half a wheel, depending on the type of machine being used
• Small potatoes, prepare by boiling or roasting
• Bottle of small gherkins pickles
• Bottle of pickled onions
• Prosciutto, enough to feed each personhttp://www.jill.net/recipes/recipes/raclette.html
• 24 slices of ham, or enough to serve guests
• 24 slices salami, or enough to serve guestshttp://www.raclette.com.au/raclette_recipes/original_raclette_recipe.html
• Bell peppers, sliced thin or coarse
• Tomatoes, sliced
• Onions, sliced
• 4 shallots, chopped finely or coarse
• Mushrooms, chopped
• Paprika to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1/2 pound sliced Bundnerfleisch (air dried beef) (optional)http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/Articles/Entertaining-Holidays-651/raclette.aspx

1. The potatoes can be boiled or roasted in the oven in their skins. Set aside, and keep them warm by placing in the oven or in a warming container or tray.
2. Slice or chop (as thin or coarse as you wish) the tomatoes, onions, shallots, mushrooms, and any other vegetable you would like to serve at your dinner party. Prawns, pineapple, avocado, celery, asparagus, olives, and bread can also be served as another option.http://www.raclette.com.au/raclette_recipes/original_raclette_recipe.html
3. Thinly slice some prosciutto (if not already sliced), ham, salami, and Bundnerfleisch. Place on serving platters and set aside.
4. Set the table with prepared food and seat your guest.
5. Melt the raclette cheese, and serve over the potatoes. Add a sprinkle of paprika and ground black pepper.

There are several traditional raclette machines and grills to choose from.

1. The traditional raclette machine can hold a quarter piece or half a piece of the raclette block. This machine consists of a base and a heating lamp. The piece of cheese fits onto the base, while the heating lamp slowly melts the cheese. As the cheese melts, it can be scraped off using a raclette knife.http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/Articles/Entertaining-Holidays-651/raclette.aspx
2. A raclette grill is the more common version used in North America, readily available in stores. The grill consists of a base, small trays and a grill. The grill is on the top, and can be uses as an all purpose grill, for meat, vegetables, etc. The base at the bottom is used to hold and warm up the small trays. Slices of raclette cheese is placed into the trays to melt, then easily poured onto the potatoes.http://www.raclettecorner.com/grill