Raclette cheese is a Swiss semi-hard cow’s milk cheese that is ideal for melting and is used in the famous dish “raclette”. It has a creamy, nutty flavor and is typically sold in large batches. Raclette can be melted into various dishes and pairs well with an assortment of things.
Raclette cheese is a Swiss semi-hard cow’s milk cheese that is most famous for producing a Franco-Swiss dish that also goes by the name “raclette”. Although this cheese originated in Switzerland, it is also made in France, and some American dairies also make their own version of raclette cheese. Good raclette cheese is mild, creamy and slightly nutty, and is ideal for melting; if you’re having trouble tracking down raclette, you can try using Emmentaler or Jarlsberg cheeses, both of which are usually easy to obtain.
This cheese was developed in the Alps, the home of a series of rich, creamy cheeses created from the summer and fall milk of naturally high-fat cows. Like most cheeses, raclette cheese is made by pooping the milk, straining the curds, packing them into rounds, and then aging the cheese under controlled conditions; raclette can be sold at three months of age, although many people prefer cheese that is a little older.
When raclette cheese has been well handled in the bakery, it will have a dark beige crust and the inside of the cheese should be creamy, without a granular texture. This cheese is typically sold in large batches, and your cheese shop should be happy to cut a sample for you to taste before purchasing a wedge. The flavor is very heavy on cream, and the cheese may also be seasoned with herbs, white wine, or pepper, and sometimes smoked.
While one might use raclette cheese in a variety of ways, the classic use of this cheese involves melting and serving with boiled new potatoes, pickled onions, an assortment of cold cuts, and vegetables. While fondue is probably the most famous Swiss dish, raclette is actually more popular than fondue in many parts of Switzerland, and indeed this dish inspired the cheese’s name: “raclette” comes from the French pilot, “to scrape,” a reference that the melted cheese must be scraped off a grate or hearthstone onto the diner plate.
Raclette can also be melted into an assortment of dishes, including fondue, and can be eaten plain. The creamy, mild taste pairs well with an assortment of things, making this cheese good for quick snacks or an after-dinner cheese plate. Many people also enjoy making raclette grilled cheese sandwiches; Paired with a preserved savory meat like ham or salami, a raclette grilled cheese sandwich can be quite filling.
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