This Swiss Addition Makes Grilled Cheese Oh-So-Melty (It's Magic Every Time)

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With the weather getting colder, who doesn't love a delicious grilled sandwich? Most of us have a go-to way of making this staple, but for the perfect melted-cheese experience, we turned to the Swiss, who have turned grilled cheese sandwich making into an art with their magic weapon: raclette. Made from cow's milk and originating in the Swiss region of Valais, raclette is a savory cheese with a nutty, earthy flavor and fruity undertones. Besides its gourmet taste, what gives this Swiss cheese its distinct grilled cheese sandwich advantage is its unrivaled texture when heated, going from semi-hard to silk-smooth, providing you the gooey, rich filling you want to elevate your grilled cheese sandwich.

Best served melted, the name "raclette" comes from the French word "racler," meaning "to scrape." Although all raclette has a savory taste, Swiss cows graze on Alpine pastures, which can influence the flavor of the cheese; this is why raclette can taste different depending on where it is produced. So, if you're a cheese connoisseur, you'll enjoy trying the different types of raclette from the different areas of Switzerland. From milder varieties to cheeses with a stronger, more distinctive flavor, you can spend the colder seasons exploring different types of raclette until you've found the one that makes your gooey grilled cheese sandwich dreams come true.

Once you've tasted a raclette grilled cheese sandwich, chances are you won't want to go back. Sorry, not sorry, cheddar. But before you build your grilled cheese sandwich using raclette, it helps to know that unlike American cheese, raclette cheese doesn't come pre-sliced or shredded; it's typically sold as a wedge cut from a larger wheel, and you'll have to slice it yourself. For the perfect melted texture, It's best to cut the cheese into thin, even slices with a specialized raclette knife after you take it out of the fridge.

If you're game, why not elevate your raclette grilled cheese with cornichons? Cornichons are a fan favorite for Swiss fondue, so it's no surprise that they're also great when paired with raclette, as the crunchy addition lifts the rich flavor of the raclette cheese wonderfully. Mushrooms and pearl onions are also ingredients to mix into your grilled cheese, as their savory flavor works especially well with the taste of raclette. For those with a sweet tooth, caramelized onions or thin slices of apple or pear can be super easy additions to a raclette grilled cheese. But if you prefer to keep it traditional, you can't go wrong with a little Dijon mustard to elevate the sharpness of your sandwich without overpowering the taste of the cheese. This winter season just got a little bit warmer with a grilled cheese sandwich with raclette oozing inside, best served alongside a comforting bowl of tomato soup.