Welsh Rarebit (Cheese Sauce on Toast)
In short: Mature cheddar melted into a mustardy ale sauce, spread thick on toast and broiled until bubbling and golden. A Welsh pub classic. It takes about 25 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Total
- 25 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 425 kcal
Welsh rarebit is cheese on toast taken seriously: a thick sauce of mature cheddar melted with ale, mustard and Worcestershire sauce, piled onto toast and broiled until it bubbles and browns in speckles. It is a quick supper, a pub snack and a good use for the end of a block of cheese. The sauce can be made ahead and kept in the fridge for a few days.
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat, stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute without browning.
- Gradually whisk in the ale or milk and simmer for 2 minutes until thick.
- Take the pan off the heat and stir in the cheese, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne and black pepper until smooth. Beat in the egg yolk and let the mixture cool for 10 minutes. It should be thick and spreadable.
- Heat the broiler (grill) to high. Toast the bread on one side under the broiler.
- Turn the bread over and spread the cheese mixture thickly on the untoasted side, right to the edges so the crusts do not burn.
- Broil about 12 cm (5 inches) from the heat for 3 to 4 minutes until bubbling and speckled brown. Scatter with chives and serve at once.
Tips
- Use a strong mature cheddar for flavor. Caerphilly or Lancashire cheese also work well, whereas mild cheese tastes flat.
- The mixture keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days and can be spread cold on toast. For buck rarebit, top each slice with a poached egg.
Questions and answers
Is Welsh rarebit the same as cheese on toast?
Not quite. Rarebit is a thick, seasoned cheese sauce made with mustard, ale and Worcestershire sauce, which is spread on toast and broiled. Plain cheese on toast is just sliced or grated cheese melted on bread.
Can I make Welsh rarebit without ale?
Yes. Use whole milk or a splash of dry cider, and add a little more mustard for the sharpness the ale would give.
Why does my rarebit split or turn oily?
The cheese was heated too fast or for too long. Melt it off the heat in the warm sauce, and broil only until it bubbles.
How long does it take to make Welsh Rarebit (Cheese Sauce on Toast)?
About 25 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Welsh Rarebit (Cheese Sauce on Toast)?
About 425 kcal per serving, with 20 g of protein, 23 g of carbohydrates and 28 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 425 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 20 g |
| Carbohydrates | 23 g |
| Fat | 28 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 650 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
