I expected this Summer to be much more sunny than it has been. Usually we have endless weeks of scalding hot days with little to no rain. Lately it’s been raining none stop here, with the exception of a few days here and there. The weather is driving me crazy and sadly it’s been cutting into grilling season. Our trusty outdoor appliance has been covered for long enough without any tender love and care. It’s a good thing I found an alternative way to create memorable meal time moments with family and friends this Summer.

Recently I was introduced to Velata by a successful consultant, John Lopez, who was kind enough to send me a nifty table top grill for my family and I. Velata is a brand connected to the Scentsy family. You probably have one of their beautiful warmers in your home or have seen them advertised. I know I have quite a few and they make great gifts during the holidays. Velata originally offered Fondue Warmers and chocolate but later expanded to kitchenware and the popular Raclette Grill. This table top grill has become my new favorite toy because it doesn’t just grill my meats to perfection, it can also be used to prepare dips, desserts, and little appetizers. Rain or shine I always have a way to prepare delicious meals for my family.

Assembly is fool proof and the grill itself is extremely simple to operate. The Velata Raclette Tabletop Grill comes with 2 different grill tops, one being granite stone. Each provides the perfect surface to cook meats, fish, vegetables, and anything else you feel like throwing on the grill. The classic grill top is non-stick cast aluminum and features a ridged grill on one side and a smooth griddle surface on the other. You can cook your meat on one side and have your vegetables cooking at the the same on the other. 

The stone top is great for pizzas and preparing cold desserts like ice cream mixed with your favorite toppings. On the bottom of the grill there are four mini raclette dishes in which you can prepare sauces, melt cheese, chocolate, or any other dips. You can even use them to prepare individual desserts which I will show you later!

Along with the grill, Velata also offers a selection of gourmet cheese dips, artisan rubs, and premium chocolates. You can enjoy fondue at home with family or guests. This is a great way to entertain!

I had a lot of ideas running through my head when it came to what I would make for dinner last weekend. I knew I wanted to keep it simple because I really wasn’t feeling well enough to slave in the kitchen for hours. Toodie girl brought home a load of icky germs from school in the beginning of the week and while she quickly recovered, I was left dragging around the house with a horrible cold. The first thing that came to mind was chicken and the Lemon Garlic Artisan Rub sounded like it would be a delicious coating. I combined it with bread crumbs, dipped chicken breast strips in an egg wash, and placed them on the grill top. As a side, homemade mashed potatoes with herbs and butter.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this spur of the moment chicken idea. Given this was my first time using the grill I didn’t want to anticipate the best but I knew it couldn’t be horrible. To my surprise, I must have done a good job for a first timer because it came out very tasty. The chicken was moist on the inside while the breading was lightly crisped. There were even grill marks!  It actually cooked rather quickly, much faster than if I would have baked it in the oven. The Lemon Garlic seasoning was my favorite part about it and each bite had a flavorful crunch to it. I can’t wait to use this on fish and grilled veggies.

Next up … dessert!

I don’t know about you but I appreciate the convenience of being able to cook my dinner and my dessert all in one place, at the same time. Once the chicken was finished cooking I lowered the heat and used the raclette dishes to make individual s’mores. All I needed was a piece of graham cracker, a few marshmallows, and a slab of chocolate. Once assembled the dishes slide right under the raclette and only have to sit a few minutes until the chocolate begins to melt. The cool thing about this easy process is that the marshmallows actually get that toasty coating on top, just as they would if you were roasting them on a fire. This is such an easy way to enjoy a classic treat and you don’t even have to go outside to do so.

I really love the idea of  individual dessert portions. I can’t wait to explore other recipes. I was thinking of making mini apple crisps and rice krispie treats next week!

You can get more information about the Velata Raclette Grill and other Velata products including the cheese dips and accessories by visiting their website. Velata is an up and coming brand, great for stay at home moms who are into cooking and entertaining. You can become a consultant and experience the products first hand or purchase them for yourself!

Disclosure: I was provided with the mentioned products in exchange for my honest review and opinions.