'Melting' over Cheese Raclette

Text: Pan Payaya | Photos: various authors

In Vietnam, there aren't many places to enjoy Raclette because it's more expensive, harder to find, and requires more equipment to prepare than Fondue. Originating in Switzerland about 700 years ago, according to old stories, when shepherds were preparing their meals, they placed a block of cheese near the fire. The melted cheese stuck to the rocks, and to save money, they scraped off the melted cheese to eat, and were surprised to find that it tasted richer and creamier. Raclette is a hard cheese made from cow's milk. Before melting, it smells like a pair of rain socks left under the bed for weeks, but once melted, it tastes incredibly good, and the aroma is much more pleasant. If you're determined to diet, never go near a Raclette grill; if you get too close, you'll almost certainly order a portion.

With Raclette, instead of grating the cheese, the whole tortilla is baked, and then the melted cheese is scraped off with a knife before eating. Nowadays, restaurants mostly use a cast iron skillet.coupellesTo speed things up, or dry them under a special electric lamp.Bron-Coucke's (cheese wheel raclette)In the old days, without modern equipment, people used wood-fired kilns.

Traditional wood-fired grilling is always better than modern electric grilling. Melted, rich raclettes are delicious served with potatoes, pickles, onions, bread, and paired with herbal tea or Kirsch cherry liqueur.

French politician and culinary expert Jean Anthelme Brillat Savarin once said, "A meal, however delicious, without cheese is like a beautiful woman with only one eye." This new season, let's gather our friends and spice up the winter days with a warm bowl of Raclette!

You can enjoy Raclette at:

Mezz Restaurant – Sofitel Saigon

17 Le Duan Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Web:www.sofitel.com/

Swiss House Saigon

54 Le Thanh Ton Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Web: www.swisshousesaigon.com

The Thanh