Nothing pairs better with stinky cheese than cool weather, making Fall my favorite season of the year. Cold air nipping at noses, crisp wind gusting at stinging cheeks...who am I kidding? I live in California. Still, I enjoy a good plate of raclette and my favorite spot is Basilic in Newport Beach. Starting in October of every year they host an all-you-can-eat raclette night, a favorite for many local phoodies in the OC.
Originating in the Alps of Switzerland (also in the alps of France), raclette is a decadent semi-firm cow's milk cheese, best served "scraped", or as the french would say "racler". There are a few ways to heat the cheese, as you can see Basilic has a special heating device. Once the cheese gets to the perfect temperature it bubbles and collects like liquid gold, at which point, it's ready to be scraped into a bowl-so fun to watch!
For those who have a fragile sense of smell, raclette is a stinky cheese, as it ages the aroma becomes even more pungent-or even more delicious as I would phrase it. Don't let this frighten you away, once you're around it for a few minutes the smell is less noticeable and you can focus on the amazing flavors-nutty, savory, and oh so sexy.
Raclette is a social food that calls for good company, plenty of drink and a sundry lot of accoutrement's. We had ours with small Yukon potatoes, charcuterie, gherkins and pickled onions. How you eat it is completely up to you; no need to be intimidated. Dig right in!
We paired out meal with a Riesling...Urban legend has it that you should drink white wine or a warm beverage, otherwise, drinking water, for example, could harden the cheese in the stomach and cause indigestion. Works for me!
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