Fox in the Capital: Cheesy in Paris

I had the wonderful opportunity to spend the Christmas and New Year holidays in France. I say wonderful when I really mean "cheesily-delicious-opportunity."

(source: She Knows Foods and Recipes)

I eat plenty of Cheese in the U.S. but the French completely showed me up. We ate cheese with every meal...including breakfast (not traditional...just delicious!). The cheese course is traditionally served after the entree...so basically, when you think you can't eat anything else they bring out the cheese and entice you to consume just a few hundred more calories of ooey-gooey-awesomeness.

So when my super-great-boyfriend told me that his friends were hoping to have a raclette dinner I jumped with excitement (and considered running 10k in preparation).

What's a raclette? I could tell you, but I will let you read the blurb below instead:

Many centuries ago in Switzerland, shepherds and grape harvesters across the mountainous country satisfied their hunger with Raclette. When the laborious days work was done, they would gather around a campfire and hold the cut surface of their local cheese up to the heat of a fire. Using a knife they would scrape the melted cheese onto potatoes and pickles. This melting and scraping of the cheese would continue till everyone ate their fill. Raclette derives from the French word, "raclet: to scrape." Today raclette refers to the modern day grill used to melt the cheese, and also as the type of cheese used while enjoying this delicious traditional dish.

Today, modern raclette grills consist of a grill placed on top of a heating element. Small dishes filled with slices of cheese are placed under the heating element to allow for the cheese to melt. During this time, individuals may place small cuts of meat, fish, and vegetables on the grill top for their own unique and tasty creations. Cooked veggies and meats are placed on a plate along with the traditional pickles and potatoes if desired. The dish is then removed from under the grill, and the creamy melted cheese is scraped onto the prepared plate. Everyone can experiment with their own personal taste and style of cooking while relaxing and enjoying an evening with friends and family-the raclette way.

(source: raclettecorner.com)

My super-great-boyfriend has super-great-friends and we had a blast preparing the meal, melting the raclette and eating our delicious creations.

Raclette (semi-firm cow's milk cheese)