This is based on my recent experience at the Borough Market in London. For those who have never been, it’s one of London’s oldest food markets, dating back to the 12th century. It sits on the Thames, has a bridge running over it and a railway line thru it. It’s bonkers and busy, and it has all the things - everything from paella to Turkish coffee.
So on a clear Saturday afternoon, I roped my partner, friend, and cousins (and their dog), to this mayhem where I hunted for the only dish I wanted to try…Melted London Raclette on potatoes. And specifically from the Kappacasein Dairy stall. They make raw, organic cheeses from cow’s milk that'll blow your mind. In front of a long line of hungry people, you watch them patiently melt their raclette until bubbling, scrape this onto baby potatoes and then serve this with fresh cracked pepper and a side of little pickles (cornichons). It's a taste explosion in your brain and happiness in your tum tum.
Serves: 4-6
Cooks in: 20 min
INGREDIENTS
200g raclette cheese per person
new potatoes, boiled (about 4 to 6 per person)
cornichons or pickled baby cucumbers
A few garlic cloves
1 bay leaf
1 tsp black peppercorns
A handful of sea salt
INSTRUCTIONS
Chuck the potatoes, bay leaf, garlic, sea salt and peppercorns in a pot and cover with water. Leave about an extra inch of water above the potato line. Bring to a boil, then simmer until the potatoes are nice and tender, around 6-8 min. (Poke them with a fork and if the fork goes in easily they’re ready to go)
Drain everything and remove the potatoes and half them.
Slice or grate the raclette cheese and cover the potatoes with their new cheesy blanket.
*This next step is based on what you have at home. At Kappescaien they use a raclette grill, but most of us don’t have this at our disposal. So I’d recommend broiling in the oven or using a mini blow torch like you’d use for crème brûlée to melt and brown the cheese. Regardless of what method you use, you want that raclette to be completely melted, a little brown and oozing all over the potatoes. (if you use a broiler, place the potatoes and cheese in an ovenproof dish like a cast iron pan or ceramic dish)
Once melted, crack some fresh pepper and serve with a side of little pickles and/ or pickled onions.
Comments