last month we bought a raclette as a present for some friends. we were introduced to the raclette concept last year by a friend who lived in switzerland prior to moving to slovenia (it’s a typical swiss dish).
you need an electric table-top grill, which has small individual pans, where you make your dishes. you can use anything you want on it, but things like mushrooms, boiled potatoes, cold meats and cheese are customary. the food is put on the small pans and covered with cheese. you can also grill other things on top of it.
i think the best part about it is that it makes dinner really easy to have with friends. there’s something for everyone, and we can cook and eat dinner simultaneously, while chatting. all you have to do is set the table with everything you want – this way there isn’t one single person slaving away in the kitchen while the others are being entertained elsewhere. plus, melted cheese is like bacon… it makes everything better! :)