Delicious Welsh Rarebit Recipe for Cheese Lovers
Do you ever find yourself craving a savory, cheesy dish that’s easy to make and perfect for any meal of the day? Look no further than this easy Welsh Rarebit recipe. With sharp cheddar cheese, Worcestershire sauce, and a dash of cayenne pepper, this recipe hits all the right notes for flavor and satisfaction.
Welsh Rarebit is a traditional Welsh dish that has been enjoyed for generations. It’s essentially a grilled cheese sandwich with a creamy cheese sauce poured over the top. This version of the dish is simple to make, with no fuss or complicated ingredients.
You can enjoy Welsh Rarebit for breakfast as a hearty alternative to your usual morning fare, or serve it with a side salad for lunch or dinner. It’s great on its own, but can also be paired with some crisp bacon, juicy tomatoes, or even homemade pickles for an added burst of flavor.
Get ready to savor the delicious combination of melted cheese and savory spices with this Welsh Rarebit recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Attention all cheese lovers and comfort food enthusiasts! I’ve got a recipe that will knock your socks off – Welsh Rarebit. Also known as Welsh Rabbit, it is one of the most beloved dishes from Wales.
This dish is a classic comfort food, with a rich and creamy cheese sauce poured over toasty bread, served with bacon, tomatoes or even pickles on top. It’s like the love child of grilled cheese and mac and cheese. The sharp cheddar cheese flavor mixed with Worcestershire sauce creates the perfect balance for your taste buds. Trust me; this dish will warm you up from the inside out.
Not only is Welsh rarebit satisfyingly delicious, but it’s also simple to make and can be altered to fit your taste preferences. If you want a lighter version, then you can substitute skim milk for whole milk or add more veggies like spinach or mushrooms on top.
And let’s not forget how versatile this dish is. It makes for an excellent brunch option or a comforting dinner choice when you just don’t have the energy to cook something elaborate.
Overall, Welsh Rarebit is an all-time favorite cheesy comfort food with excellent versatility and easy customization options. Once you try it out, I’m sure it will become a staple in your recipe book!
Ingredient List
Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make this delicious Welsh rarebit recipe:
Welsh Rarebit Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup dark ale beer (preferably stout)
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
The Rest of the Ingredients:
- 4 slices crusty bread
- 4 slices cooked bacon, chopped
- 1 large tomato, sliced
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
The Recipe How-To
Now that you have all the necessary ingredients at hand let’s start making this savory dish. This Welsh Rarebit Recipe is easy and quick to make. The recipe will only take about 10 minutes to cook, and it will make four servings.
Step 1: Prep Work
Before we start cooking let’s do some prep work. First, preheat your broiler to high. Second, lightly toast 4 slices of bread on both sides under the broiler.
Step 2: Making Cheese Sauce
In a saucepan, melt 2 tbsp butter1 over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, gradually whisk in 2 tbsp flour1 until the mixture is smooth. Now pour in 1/2 cup milk1 and a 1/4 cups beer (preferably dark ale). Keep stirring as you pour the liquid mixture into the pan until well combined.
Step 3: Add Cheese
When the liquid mixture starts bubbling add 2 cups grated cheddar cheese, 1 tsp mustard, and 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce. Continue stirring until cheese melts and becomes creamy.
Step 4: Seasoning
Season the cheese sauce with a pinch of cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper to taste. Take it off from heat.
Step 5: Assembling
Place each toast slice on an oven-proof dish or baking tray. Next, pour three to four tablespoons of cheese sauce over each slice of toast to cover them all. Lastly, place them in the oven under the broiler for just one minute or until bubbly and golden brown.
Step 6: Serving
Take out from broiler then serve it hot along with small bowls of pickle or sliced tomatoes while still hot. It’s ready to enjoy!
With these simple steps, you can now make your Welsh Rarebit Recipe.
Substitutions and Variations
There are a few ways to make this Welsh rarebit recipe your own, whether you want to try different toppings, swap out the cheese sauce for something else or experiment with the ingredients.
If you don’t have dark ale on hand, you can substitute it with any other type of beer. Just keep in mind that the bitterness from the beer is important for balancing out the richness of the cheese sauce. If you prefer a non-alcoholic version, you can use chicken or vegetable broth instead.
For those who are vegetarian, swapping out bacon for grilled tomatoes and pickles would add a fresh and healthy twist. You could also try using different kinds of cheese, such as smoked Gouda or Stilton, for a more complex flavor profile. The same goes for switching up the bread with different options like crusty sourdough or rye bread.
If you prefer your rarebit on the spicier side, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or sprinkle whole grain mustard on top before toasting. If you love garlic, mix some minced garlic into the butter before spreading it onto the bread.
For an extra cheesy twist, consider adding extra grated cheddar while making the cheese sauce or sprinkling some sharp cheddar on top before toasting. This would give you an indulgent and savory treat that’s more like a grilled cheese than traditional Welsh rarebit.
No matter how you choose to make this recipe your own, take inspiration from Alton Brown’s traditional Welsh food and enjoy it with a side pickle or tomato soup for a delicious meal at home.
Serving and Pairing
Ok, let’s talk about how to serve and pair this mouth-watering dish. I love to serve Welsh Rarebit with sliced pickles, juicy tomatoes, and crispy bacon on top. This combination provides a burst of tangy and savory flavor that enhances the taste of the dish.
However, another favorite way to enjoy Welsh Rarebit is by serving it over crusty bread. Simply toast bread in a skillet with some butter until it’s golden brown and crispy then pour the Welsh Rarebit cheese sauce on top. The bread soaks up all the flavors from the cheese sauce making it even more delicious.
As for pairing, traditional Welsh ale or dark beers are great choices as they complement the sharp cheddar cheese flavor. If you are not into beer, you can pair this dish with a full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon as its bold taste will stand up well against the richness of the cheese sauce.
You can also serve Welsh Rarebit alongside a side salad for a light meal or dainty appetizer at your dinner party. The options are endless when it comes to serving and pairing this iconic dish.
Don’t forget to experiment and create your unique combination that suits your palate!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
If you’re pressed for time, you can prepare the cheese sauce for your Welsh Rarebit recipe ahead of time. After preparing the sauce, let it cool to room temperature before transferring to an airtight container. You can then refrigerate for up to three days or freeze for up to three months. Before using the refrigerated or frozen sauce in your recipe, reheat it over low heat while stirring constantly until it becomes smooth and creamy.
Once your Welsh Rarebit is ready, you can also store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. To reheat, simply place the leftover rarebit on a microwave-safe plate and heat in the microwave oven for 60-90 seconds on high or until it’s evenly hot. Alternatively, if you don’t have access to a microwave oven, you can reheat the Welsh Rarebit in a preheated oven at 375°F (180°C) for about 10 minutes.
When reheating this dish, it’s essential to keep an eye on the bread as it may become too crispy or burnt. Covering it with foil will help keep it from drying out and overbrowning. Whether freshly made or reheated, serve your Welsh Rarebit with a side of pickle and tomatoes, bacon, or crusty bread drizzled with butter. This dish is simple yet satisfying and perfect for an easy weeknight meal or a hearty breakfast feast.
Tips for Perfect Results
To achieve a perfect Welsh Rarebit dish, there are some tips and tricks that can take your recipe to the next level.
First, start by using high-quality ingredients. The taste of the dish is heavily dependent on the butter, cheese, and ale beer used. I recommend using sharp cheddar cheese for an extra tangy flavor and a dark ale beer for a more complex taste.
When making the sauce, it is crucial to whisk continuously until it thickens. This process should take about 5-7 minutes over medium heat. It is also important to use a heavy-bottomed pot to prevent burning or sticking.
Adding Worcestershire sauce and dry mustard gives the sauce an extra kick of flavor, but be careful not to overdo it as this may cause the dish to become too spicy. A pinch of cayenne pepper can also give the dish some heat without overpowering other flavors.
When preparing the bread, it’s best to lightly toast it before adding the cheese sauce as this will result in a crispier texture. If you prefer softer bread, feel free to skip this step.
Finally, as with any cheese-based dish, it is best to serve immediately after preparation. While reheating leftovers is possible, they will not have the same fresh taste and texture as when originally made.
With these tips in mind, you’re on your way to achieving a delicious and traditional Welsh Rarebit dish that will impress anyone who tries it!
FAQ
Before we conclude, let’s go through some frequently asked questions about making Welsh Rarebit, to help you avoid any mistakes and learn some expert tips that will take your dish to the next level. Whether you’re a cooking expert or are trying this traditional Welsh food for the first time, these FAQs will address your concerns and ensure your experience of making a delicious Welsh rarebit recipe is as smooth as possible.
How to make Welsh rarebit cheese sauce?
As a British cuisine expert, I recommend a mouth-watering dish that will blow your socks off – beer cheese dip! To make it, grab a saucepan and put in cheese, butter, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, flour, and pepper. Make sure everything is mixed well. Next, add in either beer or Guinness, but if you’re not a fan of alcohol, milk will work as a great substitute. Stir this all together gently over a low heat until everything is melted and it transforms into a thickish paste. Once it reaches the desired thickness, stop stirring and let it swivel around the saucepan effortlessly.
Do you put egg in Welsh rarebit?
For this British-inspired dish, we will need 350 grams of grated mature cheddar cheese, a large egg that has been lightly beaten, 2 tablespoons of beer (if possible, stout) or milk, 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon of English mustard, a pinch of cayenne pepper, and 12 thick slices of white bread. It’s recommended to use bread from a bloomer loaf, as it will hold up better in the recipe.
How do you make James Martin Welsh rarebit?
First things first, let’s get our grill heated up to high. We’ll need it nice and hot to make our delicious rarebit. Now, to get started, we’ll need to gently melt some cheese in a pan. Once it’s melted, we’ll add in all of our other ingredients, stirring them together carefully.
Next, we’ll want to get our bread ready. Toast up some white bread and spread it with some tasty chutney. Then, it’s time to add some crispy bacon on top. But the star of the show is definitely going to be that luscious rarebit we just made. Spoon it generously over the bacon-topped bread, then pop everything under the grill for a few minutes until it’s bubbling and beautifully golden.
What is rarebit sauce made of?
When crafting a Welsh rarebit sauce, it’s common to use a blend of butter, milk, beer, Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, black pepper, all-purpose flour, salt, and Cheddar cheese.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this easy Welsh Rarebit recipe is the perfect addition to your repertoire of comfort food dishes. Not only is it incredibly delicious, but it’s also versatile and can be customized to suit your preferences. Whether you’re looking for a quick and tasty lunch option or want to impress your guests with a traditional Welsh dish, this recipe has got you covered.
So what are you waiting for? Grab those ingredients from your pantry and get started on making this mouthwatering cheese sauce. Don’t forget to experiment with some substitutions and variations to find your perfect combination. And most importantly, have fun in the kitchen!
As Alton Brown once said, “Welsh rarebit: the grilled cheese for intellectuals.” So go ahead and impress yourself and others by making this dish today!
Easy Welsh Rarebit Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 slice bacon
- 1 tomatoes
- 2 ounces cheese
- 2 slices bread
- butter
- 1 tablespoon pickle
Instructions
- Heat the grill. Lightly grill the bacon, if used. Slice the tomatoes, if used. Slice the cheese, making enough slices to cover the pieces of bread. Toast the bread lightly on both sides and spread one side with the butter. Arrange the slices of cheese on the buttered side of the toast and put under the grill for 1-2 minutes, until the cheese begins to bubble. Top with the tomato slices, bacon, or pickle and return to the grill for another minute, to heat the topping and brown the cheese. Eat at once.
Nutrition
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Brian is a British chef cum food blogger who has been in the kitchen since he was a young lad. Growing up in Manchester, he developed a passion for cooking and a keen eye for the perfect dish. He now runs his own blog and YouTube channel, which is dedicated to sharing his passion for food with the world.