Raclette is a Swiss dish that consists of melted cheese and potatoes. Traditionally, raclette is eaten by melting the cheese and scraping it onto a plate with potatoes. However, you can also eat it with bread and pickles.
There are many different kinds of cheeses that you can use for raclette, but a good rule of thumb is to use a hard, semi-firm cheese like a Swiss Emmentaler or an Alpine cheese like Gruyère.
These types of cheeses are best for melting because they have more fat and are more firm. In addition to these cheeses, you can also use Brie, Camembert, and Muenster.
Gruyere
Gruyere is a semi-hard cow’s milk cheese from Switzerland that has been made since the 12th century. The cheese has a complex flavor that is nutty and salty, with a hint of sweetness. It has large holes inside and a thin, delicate rind. Gruyere melts beautifully, and is ideal for raclette. It’s widely available in grocery stores, especially around the holidays.
Swiss Cheese
Swiss cheese is a semi-hard cow’s milk cheese that originated in Switzerland during the 15th century. It is aged, resulting in a complex flavor that is salty and reminiscent of buttermilk, earthy with a hint of sweetness. Swiss cheese is great for melting. It’s best served with pickles or cornichons.
County
County is a semi-hard cow’s milk cheese from the United Kingdom. It has a sweet, buttery flavor with a hint of nuttiness. County melts beautifully and should be sliced fairly thin. It pairs particularly well with grapes or apples.
Vacherin Rouge
Vacherin Rouge is a cow’s milk cheese from France that is made in the mountainous regions of the country. It is a soft cheese with a creamy texture and a slightly sweet flavor. Vacherin Rouge is an excellent choice for raclette
Boccherini
Boccherini is a cow’s milk cheese from Italy that is named after an Italian composer who was born in the region where the cheese is made. Boccherini is a perfect cheese for raclette.
Sheep’s Milk Cheese
Sheep’s milk cheese is made from the milk of sheep and is common in southern Europe. It can be made into a variety of styles, from fresh (unaged) to hard. Sheep’s milk cheese has a sweet flavor, with a high fat content. There are many types of sheep’s milk cheese that are excellent for raclette. Some of the most famous are: Manchego, Pecorino, and Idiazabal.
Final Summary and Considerations
Raclette is a Swiss dish where melted cheese is served over boiled potatoes, corn or pickles. The melted cheese can be made from many different types of cheese including Swiss, Emmentaler, Gruyere and Comté.
Because of their strong flavor, these are the best types of cheese to use for raclette. Unlike other types of melted cheese, raclette is not served melted all the way through. Instead, the melted cheese should be warm enough to melt the potatoes but still firm enough to hold its shape.
The best way to achieve this is to use a semi-hard cheese that melts easily but retains its shape when heated. When choosing a cheese for raclette, it is important to pick a semi-hard one with a strong and distinct flavor. This will help the melted cheese stand out from the other ingredients.
One of the most traditional cheeses used for raclette is Swiss Emmentaler. This bright orange cheese has a distinctive nutty and slightly fruity flavor that pairs well with potatoes and corn. Meanwhile, Comté is another firm yet creamy cheese that melts well and has a delicious nutty flavor.