Swiss Raclette: Pro Recipe from the Alpine Experience

La squeegee It's more than just a meal: it's a Swiss social experience that brings friends and family together around a table for hours. Originating in the Swiss and French Alps, this dish consists of raclette cheese melted directly on a hot griddle or in front of a heat source, then generously poured over boiled potatoes, gherkins, pearl onions, and cured meats.

The name comes from the French word "racler" (to scrape), which describes the action of scraping the melted cheese off the wheel. The key is the quality of the cheese: it must be authentic Swiss (or French Savoie) raclette, with its perfect melting point that allows it to melt creamily without separating. In this AI Chef Pro recipe, we'll show you how to host an authentic raclette evening at home.

General Information

• Preparation time: 20 minutes
• Cooking time: 30 minutes
• Rations: 4-6 people
• Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

For the Cheese:

• 800g Swiss raclette cheese (sliced ​​or wedged)
• Optional: mix with French Savoia raclette

To accompany:

• 1.5kg small potatoes, cooked with skin on
• 300g pickled gherkins (cornichons)
• 200g pickled onions (pearl onions)
• 300g assorted cold cuts: cooked ham, salami, prosciutto
• 200g fresh mushrooms
• 200g roasted peppers
• Freshly ground black pepper

Optional:

• Chicken or beef strips for grilling
• Sliced ​​zucchini
• Cherry tomatoes

Step by Step Preparation

Phase 1: Prepare Ingredients (20 min)

Step 1: Wash the potatoes and cook them in salted water for 20-25 minutes until tender. Keep warm.

Step 2: Set the table with all the side dishes on shared plates.

Step 3: Cut the cheese into individual portions (100-150g per person).

Phase 2: Assemble the Raclette Station (5 min)

Step 4: Turn on the raclette machine or oven to 200°C.

Step 5: If you use an electric iron: place it in the center of the table so that everyone has access.

Phase 3: The Raclette Ritual

Step 6: Each diner places a portion of cheese in their small pan (coupelle).

Step 7: Slide under the heat (or in the oven) until the cheese bubbles and melts.

Step 8: While the cheese melts, grill potatoes, mushrooms, and other vegetables on the top grill.

Step 9: When the cheese is perfectly melted and lightly browned, remove it.

Step 10: Scrape/tear the melted cheese directly onto the hot potatoes.

Step 11: Serve with gherkins, pearl onions, and cured meats. Sprinkle with pepper.

Phase 4: Continue…

Step 12: Repeat the process as many times as you like. Raclette is a leisurely social meal.

Key Techniques

1. Cheese at Room Temperature

Take the cheese out of the refrigerator 30 minutes beforehand. It melts better and more evenly.

2. Do Not Overheat

The cheese should bubble but not burn. Golden brown at the edges = perfect.

3. Hot Potatoes

The cheese adheres better to hot potatoes. Keep warm.

Summary Table

Appearance	Detail
Total time	50 minutes
Difficulty	Easy
Servings	4-6 people
Origin	Switzerland (Alps)