The Swiss mastered the art of playing with food a long time ago. It’s the Swiss we have to thank for Fondue. And we also have the Swiss to thank for raclette.
Raclette has three different meanings. It can refer to a type of creamy cow’s milk cheese, a type of meal, or a cooking method which involves communal cooking at the table.
As a traditional meal, raclette has been enjoyed in Switzerland for centuries. The traditional raclette meal, like fondue, is another way of sharing a communal meal at the table. But unlike fondue, with raclette, you’re not limited to just dipping things in cheese and chocolate—this mean involves vegetables, bread, cured meat, and melted raclette cheese.
But, today, we’re talking about raclette as a cooking method!
If you want your family to get back around the dinner table, raclette will definitely accomplish this. Here’s how it works: You place a special raclette grill in the center of the dining room table along with a selection of raw meats, sliced vegetables, and various kinds of cheese and dips. Then everyone sits around and cooks their own meal!
Beneath the top hot plate where you grill your meats and veggies, there is a heating element where you place raclette pans to melt your cheese.
How much more paleo could it be than to sit around an actual element and cook your meat with your family? Talk about a fun way to bring the family together! As an added bonus, when the kids are cooking their own food, they are much more likely to try new things. I know this goes without saying, but do watch out that very young children are given plenty of assistance when helping to prepare their meal on the raclette!
Some of my favorite raclette dinner items include:
thinly sliced chicken, pork, and/or beef
scallops
sliced onions
sliced mushrooms
sliced bell peppers
cherry tomatoes
sliced pineapple
I like to start a raclette meal with a green salad that we all enjoy while the grill is heating up. Dessert is grilled pineapple!
I think many families would enjoy cooking on a raclette grill. Who knows? It might become a favorite family tradition!
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