We love having folks over for dinner: good conversation, a chance to catch up, the opportunity to fix dishes that don't work well for two people, and an excuse to make desserts—not to mention inspiration to stop procrastinating on various indoor and outdoor work that needs to be done! The folks who came last night are the best kind, those who cheer the meal with enthusiasm, whether it's an experimental, untested recipe, an old favorite, or plain comfort food.
Raclette is Swiss comfort food. More popular even than fondue in Switzerland (according to my favorite authority on All Things Swiss), raclette is an easy meal (at least it is if you don't spend all day on the above-mentioned procrastinated projects). In Switzerland it's even a budget meal; sadly, raclette cheese is a gourmet item here, but well worth it for a festive occasion. I made the meal still more festive by choosing the colorful and flavorful Celebration Blend from Potato Inspirations; interesting potatoes are another food common in Europe but a specialty product here.
This is where Swiss purists should stop reading. Instead of the traditional pickled onions and cornichons, we served steamed zucchini and yellow summer squash. To my prejudiced American mind, that's a healthier as well as tastier accompaniment. And we had cherry crisp with vanilla ice cream for dessert.
Good food, better company. We should do this more often. There are still more projects to be accomplished....
Note: Raclette, the Sequel will be performed sometime during the first two weeks of May.
Sounds like a pretty good selection of accompanying dishes to me. My only question is how you fit that crisp in after the raclette!
yay! I'll be there the first two weeks of May...
Raclette- wonderful, easy dish. But you need to have the pickled onions! (I do serve a salad as a starter... must be the American in me.)
