From the French verb racler, meaning "to scrape," raclette is based on the age-old practice of scraping the melted side of a half-wheel of cheese onto potatoes. Ranking right up there with fondue as a beloved tradition in the French and Swiss alps, it's simultaneously a dish, a cheese, a device and an occasion.
Modern times have seen the advent of two principal types of raclette devices: One a melter with a cheese-holding stand and infrared lamp, the other a tabletop contraption with a griddle on top, an electric heating element in the middle and trays underneath to melt individual portions. The melter stand is the more traditional and picturesque option, while the griddle oven is more convenient, versatile and participatory. Both augur a deliciously drawn-out, convivial gathering.
In 2007, Sonja Hoffmann gave stateside raclette fans reason for celebration when she launched Raclette Corner (raclettecorner.com), a one-stop shop for all things raclette. "There's no wrong way to do raclette," Hoffmann says, adding simply, "Be creative."
Hoffmann harbors fond memories of summers at her grandparents' home in the canton of Graubünden, Switzerland. Her website carries an authentic local cheese, Alp Maran, via the Adopt-an-Alp program started by another Swiss raclette-meister, Caroline Hostettler of the importer Quality Cheese. (Go to adopt-an-alp.com to learn more.)
Denne historien er fra November 30, 2022-utgaven av Wine Spectator.
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Denne historien er fra November 30, 2022-utgaven av Wine Spectator.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Shipwrecked Champagne Hoard Discovered Near Sweden
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THE SPLENDOR OF CHAMPAGNE
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Before Food Network, Top Chef or Yelp ... before the term “foodie\" ... before tomatoes were heirloom and sushi was fast food... back when fancy restaurants were always French... Michael Batterberry and his wife, Ariane, were working to celebrate and elevate the status of American chefs and international cuisine. Julie Mautner, Food Arts' former executive editor, looks at the life and legacy of her late mentor, affectionately known as The Bat.
