The Costa Blanca has been experiencing a cold snap recently with temperatures dropping to 2 degrees at night, however, when we arrived the sky was brilliant blue and the sun was shining, consequently we enjoyed an al fresco lunch at Frank's bar in the village.
Having been holed up indoors for several weeks back home it was lovely to be outside, within half an hour neighbours and friends drifted through the park, several stopping for a drink and a chat.
Prior to our arrival my neighbour Tony had (as is usual) promised to cook a meal for us and (as is also usual) had, he hoped, arrived at a dish I would be unfamiliar with. When we entered his home I was greeted by an electric table-top grill surrounded by various dishes of meat, cheese and vegetables.
Surprisingly I had never seen a raclette grill before, this machine comprises of a top grill and small pans, known as coupelles in which to 'traditionally' melt the raclette cheese. Raclette is a semi firm, cow's milk cheese most commonly used for melting and often used in fondue. While traditionally the raclette meal consists of cheese grilled till it melts and then scraped over potatoes, the modern machine takes raclette dining to a different level.
Tony had prepared several dishes of marinated chicken and pork, sliced shallots and chillies and a jug of beaten eggs, along with cooked meats and salad. Gathered around the grill we were invited to fill our little pans and cook small tasty combinations for ourselves.
Each pan of food takes literally minutes to cook and can be any number of food combinations. When the meat is nearly cooked you can pour the egg mix on top to create omelettes.
The emphasis on raclette dining is on relaxed and sociable eating and drinking, the meal often running to several hours. It was the most fun and communal dinner party I have been to in ages, no one leaving the table, everyone helping themselves as and when they wanted to and just the sheer enjoyment of participating (Glenn doesn't cook ordinarily but he had the greatest fun experimenting with his ingredients!)
Today, Tony knocked on my door and presented me with his raclette grill as a gift. I shall get many hours of entertainment out of this machine and would highly recommend anyone nervous of throwing a conventional dinner party to invest in this brilliant piece of kit!
'No man on his deathbed looked into the eyes of his family and friends and said, I wish I'd spent more time at the office.'
- Author unknown
Love Donna xxxxxxxxx
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