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Christmas Eve 2015



It's Christmas Eve and it's become my family's tradition to serve Raclette.
Many years ago our neighbours, newly immigrated from Switzerland, introduced this winter Swiss meal with us and it wasn't long before I went out and bought a Raclette oven for our family.

This year, Harv and I were privileged to host the MGCC West Christmas Party and 
decided to share this tradition with them.
(Betty and Charlotte and their husbands enjoyed a MGCC East Christmas party in Manitoba.)
Only one of the girls had ever had Raclette before and it was fun to introduce the others to it.

Here is how Raclette is done:
You'll need a Raclette oven which has a grill surface on top with a broiler element below it
 and a place for 6 -8 individual trays beneath the element.
Raclette ovens are available in most kitchen stores.


Photo by Lovella Scehllenberg

The Raclette oven is placed in the middle of the table
so that everyone has access to it. 
A variety of meats is offered to cook on the grill surface.  
We usually serve marinated flank steak slices, farmer sausage or ham and prawns.
(Chicken is not recommended because of contamination issues.)
Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheeses are sliced into 1/2" pieces and passed around the table.
Each person puts a slice of cheese into their tray and then slides the tray beneath the broiler element.
Along with the cheese, you can add garlic butter, diced sweet peppers, diced green onions and/or sliced mushrooms to the trays.
When the cheese has melted and begins to get crusty, the tray is removed from the oven and the melted cheese is poured over boiled potatoes and/or sliced French bread.
Sweet gherkins and cocktail onions, dill pickles and fresh vegetables are served alongside the melted cheese and grilled meats.

Photo by Lovella Schellenberg

It's a lovely way to spend an evening with friends and family. 
Our young grandchildren are delighted to cook their own food at the table alongside the adults.

The Mennonite Girls and their husbands enjoyed this new experience and I know of one for sure who purchased a Raclette within the first week and has since served it to family and friends.

Tonight, whatever your tradition or activity,
 I pray that you will experience the coming of the Christ child in your life.
May His love fill you with peace and joy.





4 comments:

  1. What a wonderful idea! I will be looking for one of these ASAP. Merry Christmas!

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  2. A very Happy and Peaceful Christmas to you all ! x

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  3. Years ago we had great fun eating this way, I had forgotten all about it, thanks for the memory. Happy Christmas from England

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  4. This is something I really want to try some year!

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