real swiss goodness.

My maid of honor, {ch}, makes her home in NYC these days, but she spent most of her childhood in the outskirts of Boston. When she told me she was headed to Boston to clean out her childhood bedroom last weekend, I jumped at the chance to see her. {cv} and I live just under an hour outside of the city--so we made the quick trip this past Saturday night to see her!

{ch} invited us to a dinner party at her house and originally promised fondue. {I'm a HUGE fondue fan, so this suited me just fine!} One of my favorite random facts about {ch} is that she was actually born in Switzerland. After we arrived, she informed us that plans had changed slightly...

and instead of fondue, we'd be having Raclette.

Now, it's not the first time I've looked at {ch} dumbfounded when it comes to something food-related. She's much more adventurous than me, but over the past seven years, she has certainly helped me to broaden my food horizons...and we can now add Raclette to that mix.

I flipped back in my mental rolodex and remembered my first introduction to raclette, just over two months ago via Sara in Le Petit Village. When I read her post, I was both immediately intrigued and instantly hungry. Raclette is actually a type of cheese. The act of consuming Raclette is a lot like fondue--in the sense that it involves cheese and togetherness, but instead of dipping, the consumer must "scrape" the cheese. {Yes, scrape...in French, "racler" is the verb "to scrape".}

Essentially, you put a few pieces of Raclette cheese on something which looks a little like a small frying pan...and then put it on the grill {see above}. Once the cheese starts bubbling a bit, you scrape it over small potatoes {or for more adventurous eaters: pickled onions and gherkins}. We also ate some yummy veal bratwursts cooked on the top of that grill {as {ch} shows us in the top right picture}. Paprika and mustard are also available on the table to spice things up.

With our dinner, we enjoyed some Fendant--a traditional Swiss white wine. After we were sufficiently full of all that real Swiss goodness, we then topped off the night with some Kirsch {otherwise known as "cherry water"}. 

{ch} and her parents were so kind to open their home to us and to share one of their favorite Swiss traditions. Our first experience with Raclette made me wish I'd asked for a Raclette grill on our registry last year! {We did get a fondue set, so I guess I can't complain!} Cheese and togetherness are always a perfect recipe to me. 

 What new adventures have you taken lately? 

Or is there anything you'd really like to try?

Let's discuss!

For those of you affected by this winter wallop, be cozy and safe...

for those of you who escaped the wrath, be thankful ;) 

Can't wait to hear what adventures you're taking these days! xoxo {av}

P.S. I'd love to have you join me in sharing your Friday's Fancies this week! It could even get you an extra entry in my Minted giveaway. Here's a new graphic you can use!