When you think of classic comfort foods, Welsh rarebit may not be at the top of your mind. But if you've had the chance to taste Welsh rarebit, you know it belongs right up there with mashed potatoes and mac 'n' cheese. Get to know this beloved dish, from its origins to how it's made.
What exactly is Welsh rarebit?
Welsh rarebit is a savory dish comprised of a hot cheese sauce served over toast that is then grilled or broiled. It originated in 18th century Great Britain as "Welsh rabbit," but the name was eventually changed to avoid confusion. (There is no rabbit in this dish.) Welsh rarebit bears a resemblance to another popular British comfort dish, cheese on toast. Despite its name, it's unclear whether Welsh rarebit originally surfaced in Wales.
People may think Welsh rarebit is just a variation of cheese on toast, but Welsh rarebit's cheese has a whole lot more going on. To make cheese on toast, all you have to do is slice some cheese and toast it with a piece of bread, but Welsh rarebit requires a little more culinary skill and is cooked separately from the toast.
Welsh rarebit sauce typically includes butter, milk, beer, Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, ground black pepper, all-purpose flour, salt, and Cheddar cheese. Some recipes may substitute hot sauce for Worcestershire, while others incorporate heavy cream or even egg yolks to give the cheese sauce an even more luscious texture.
How do I make Welsh rarebit?
Welsh rarebit is a relatively quick and simple dish to prepare. First, you'll need to prepare the sauce. Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat, then add flour and whisk for 2 to 3 minutes while being careful not to brown the flour. Mix in your seasonings and whisk until very smooth.
Next, mmix in your beer, then pour in your thickening agent (whether it's milk or heavy cream), and whisk until smooth. Slowly add the Cheddar, and whisk until smooth for about 5 minutes.
Once the sauce is complete, you'll let it cool for 5 minutes, and whisk in egg yolks if you're using them.
In the meantime, preheat your oven's broiler, and set your oven rack about six inches from the heat source. Toast your slices of bread on one side, and then place them on a sheet pan, toasted side down. Spoon the cheese sauce on the untoasted side. Place the tray in the oven and broil for 2 to 3 minutes.
Welsh rarebit is a simple dish, but the cheese sauce is rich, so if you do decide to serve it with something, choose a lighter option, like a salad. Otherwise, just enjoy it on its own.
Is welsh rarebit just cheese on toast? No! Cheese on toast is made by grilling slices of pure cheese on toasted bread whereas welsh rarebit is a grilled cheese based sauce made from cheese, flour, beer and often added egg.
“It's typically a cheese sauce, like a bechamel or mornay, and you can flavor it from that point however you wish.” Common inclusions in recipes for rarebit are elements that deepen and enhance the cheese sauce flavor such as beer, Worcestershire, mustard, cayenne, or nutmeg.
Welsh rarebit, a traditional British dish consisting of toasted bread topped with a savory cheddar cheese sauce that typically includes such ingredients as beer or ale, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne, mustard, and paprika. If an egg is served atop the dish, it is called buck rarebit.
Scottish Rarebit started with buttered, toasted bread. Slices of cheese were placed on top to be broiled. Welsh Rarebit was similar to the Scottish version only the bread had both butter and mustard. There have been several versions added over the years.
The original 18th-century name of the dish was the jocular "Welsh rabbit", which was later reinterpreted as "rarebit", as the dish contains no rabbit. Variants include English rabbit, Scotch rabbit, buck rabbit, golden buck, and blushing bunny.
Stouffer's Welsh Rarebit Frozen Dish offers a quick, easy addition to lunch or dinner. This Stouffer's Welsh Rarebit microwave dish includes creamy cheese sauce made with 100% real cheddar cheese.
Staple fruits of the land include oats, barley, wheat and vegetables, including the famous Welsh leek – an enduring symbol of Wales and found in traditional dishes, such as Glamorgan sausage and the hearty broth known simply as cawl. Nothing showcases the Welsh tradition of simple wholesome fare more than cawl.
Rarebit makes a fantastic light supper or hearty snack to have at a pub after a few pints of beer. A simple mixture of sharp cheddar cheese, beer, cayenne, and mustard served hot on crisp toast can be topped with an egg, if you're in the mood for a runny yolk.
Cawl, pronounced "cowl", can be regarded as Wales' national dish. Dating back to the 11th century, originally it was a simple broth of meat (most likely lamb) and vegetables, it could be cooked slowly over the course of the day whilst the family was out working the fields.
An indulgent twist on the more traditional Welsh Rarebit. This savoury treat is expertly made by combining our West Country Farmhouse Cheddar with Worcestershire sauce, mustard, a whole egg and a drop of Fortnum's Ale with dry-cured bacon. A favourite in our restaurants.
My favourite is a golden ale, which brings a fantastic hoppy, boozy flavour, without being domineering. Stout or Guinness can be a delicious addition to a Welsh rarebit, but they can be potent: cut them with milk (75g of each) to prevent the sauce becoming overwhelming.
A grilled cheese may also be made in a sandwich toaster, particularly in the United Kingdom where the dish is normally called a toasted cheese sandwich or cheese toastie.
A Hot Brown Sandwich (sometimes known as a Kentucky Hot Brown) is a variation on the traditional Welsh rarebit. A Hot Brown Sandwich (sometimes known as a Kentucky Hot Brown) is a variation on the traditional Welsh rarebit. The Hot Brown was created at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, by Fred K.
Introduction: My name is Kimberely Baumbach CPA, I am a gorgeous, bright, charming, encouraging, zealous, lively, good person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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