How to host a raclette dinner party

The Academy Awards is a glam and glittering affair on the small screen, but in our homes we prefer the laid-back, casual atmosphere of friends and family, perhaps gathered around the table for a pre-Oscar meal or just a friendly out-of-the-norm get-together. With an electric raclette as the centrepiece, start your Oscar party with shrimp sizzling on the grill top. Then turn the spotlight to cheese – melting it under the grill and slathering it over potatoes or colourful vegetables, smoky or cured meats and fish – and, of course, pickles. On with the show!

What is raclette cheese?
A mellow cow's milk cheese with flavours and aromas of butter and nuts, raclette has a firm-yet-supple texture that melts beautifully when heated. The word raclette (from the French racler, or "to scrape") goes back to the days when Swiss cow herders used to melt raclette cheese on rocks close to glowing coals to scrape over food. Raclette cheese is worth seeking out at specialty food stores, but other melting cheeses also make for a good party.

Raclette menu and recipes for 8:

• Greens with Tarragon Vinaigrette: Well-dressed salad is a light and refreshing opening course for a rich raclette main.
• Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Vegetable Skewers: The cook-your-own party starts by choosing and grilling skewered shrimp and vegetables to serve with Lemon Chive Aioili (below).
• Lemon Chive Aïol: While prefect for grilled skewers, this multipurpose dip is also delicious with crunchy fresh veggie sticks.
• Raclette: Classic meets modern in this selection of ingredients you can prepare ahead, leaving plenty of time to enjoy the first course with guests.
• Pineapple with Kirsch Syrup: A delicious twist on the Swiss tradition of serving pineapple and kirsch at the end of a meal to aid digestion.
• Ginger Molasses Tuiles: Bake only six of these lacy tile-shaped cookies (tuiles in France) at a time.

Raclette dinner party work schedule
2 days ahead:
• Make Tarragon Vinaigrette recipe.
• Make Lemon Chive Aïoli recipe.
• Make batter for Ginger Molasses Tuiles recipe. 
• Make Kirsch Syrup recipe for dessert

Day before: 
• Slice cheese and sausages for raclette recipe.
• Cook broccoli and potatoes for raclette recipe.
• Cut pineapple for dessert.

Day of: 
• Bake Ginger Molasses Tuiles recipe.
• Assemble Shrimp and Vegetables Skewers recipe.
• Put pickles, broccoli and baby corn into bowls.
• Prepare salad greens.

At dinnertime:
• Heat raclette grill in centre of table.
• Place skewers, aïoli and salad on table.
• Reheat potatoes while enjoying first course.
• Set out all raclette ingredients.
• For a light dessert, toss pineapple with kirsch syrup. 

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