welsh rarebit

Breakfast

Welsh Rarebit

Welsh Rarebit is a classic British dish featuring a rich, creamy cheese sauce flavored with mustard and ale, melted over toasted bread. It’s a savory, comforting snack or light meal with bold, tangy flavors.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon flour
1/2 cup porter beer
1 teaspoon english mustard powder
2 or 3 dashes hot sauce, such as tabasco
2 or 3 dashes worcestershire sauce
5 ounces sharpest cheddar available, grated (about 2 cups)
5 ounces stilton, crumbled (about 2 cups depending on how finely it's crumbled)
salt and freshly grated black pepper
long thin slices of french baguette cut on a bias
extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing
cloves of garlic, halved
thin slices tomato and diced tomatoes, for garnish
crumbled bacon
chopped fresh chives

Directions

Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and cook, whisking constantly, until lightly browned, about 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the beer until smooth. Whisk in the mustard, hot sauce and Worcestershire until smooth. Gradually add the cheese, alternating between the Cheddar and the Stilton, a handful at a time, whisking until smooth and creamy before adding more, 3 or 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
Preheat the broiler. Arrange the bread in a single layer, brush with oil and lightly toast. Rub the oiled side of the toasts with the cut side of the garlic. Arrange tomato slices on the toasts, top with a layer of the cheese mixture and broil until the cheese is bubbly and just starting to brown, 2 or 3 minutes. Garnish with bacon, diced tomatoes and chives before serving.