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Have you got an overwhelming craving for raclette but not the electric tabletop grill to to make it happen?
Never fear, raclette is still within easy reach with a few simple cooking techniques that mean you don't need any specialist equipment.
Here's how to prepare raclette without the raclette machine, where you'll be enjoying 'apres ski' almost before you manage to slip off your ski boots. Try also more ideas for melted cheese dishes.
How to prepare raclette without a grill
The Microwave Method
Traditionally, boiled potatoes, cured meats and raclette cheese are allowed to cook in miniature pans on the tabletop grill, by each diner. But when you don't have the raclette equipment, you have to cheat a little.
Rather than serving the ingredients separately, you can:
- peel and cut the potatoes into slices just as you would for a potato gratin
- place in a rimmed dish and microwave in the oven for 10 minutes
- season and place the raclette cheese on top
- serve with the cured meats once the cheese has melted
Another technique to prepare an appliance-free raclette is to cook the potatoes in water, slice them, add the cold cuts and cheese and pop in the microwave for 30 seconds (no more otherwise the cheese may overcook and dry out.)
How to Prepare Raclette in the oven
Don't have a raclette machine or a microwave? Then it's oven time. In this case, prepare a tartiflette with the raclette.
To do this, lay layers of cooked and sliced potatoes in a baking dish, add bacon, cover with raclette cheese and bake in the oven until the cheese has melted.
How to Prepare raclette in a pan
If you don't possess a raclette machine, a microwave or an oven, it's pan time.
To do this:
- make classic pan-fried potatoes
- cover with raclette cheese at the end of cooking while lowering the heat
- cover with foil and let melt
- serve with the charcuterie of your choice
How to prepare a raclette by an open fire
The final solution, especially if you are a big hungry group, is to prepare raclette by an open log fire.
Place a half-wheel of raclette near the fireplace. The cheese will melt of its own accord and you and your guests will simply have to scoop it up on a plate garnished with potatoes and charcuterie