Welsh Rarebit

How to make a delicious pub style Welsh Rarebit, have as a main meal, or a simple snack. Easy step by step instructions from start to finish.

Ingredients

Method

  • 28g / 1oz Butter (unsalted if Possible)
  • 28g / 1oz Plain or All-purpose Flour
  • 170g / 6oz Mature Cheddar Cheese
  • 130g / 130ml Milk or half Beer and half Milk
  • 115g / 4oz Streaky Bacon (fried crispy)
  • 60g / 2oz Spring Onions (finely chopped)
  • 2g / ½tsp Mustard Powder (1 tsp English Mustard)
  • 2g / ½tsp Garlic powder or granules
  • 2g / ½tsp Cayenne powder
  • 6ml / 1tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 15g / ½oz Chopped Chives (optional)
  • 1 Egg Yolk (Optional)
  • Slices Bread of your choice
  • Fry off the bacon (smoked or unsmoked) until nice and crispy, allow to completely cool, then chop into small pieces (Lardons)
  • In a medium size saucepan on a low heat, melt the butter.
  • Once bubbling, add the flour, constantly mix and cook until it is a light brown colour and has a pleasant nutty aroma, this should take around 90 seconds.
  • Gradually whisk in the liquid, I’m using all milk with an egg yolk mixed in, but half and half of milk and beer can be used too.
  • Once all the liquid is in, you should now have a nice smooth mixture.
  • Now you can add the spices and mustard, whisk those in.    
  • Turn off the heat: and using a spatula, add the cheese in 2 or 3 stages stirring and folding as you go, there is enough residual heat to melt the cheese without it splitting, Warning: if you leave the heat on, your cheese will split.
  • You can now add the bacon bits and the spring onions, fold those in too.
  • If you like it, add a splash of Worcestershire sauce and mix it in.
  • Scrape the mixture into a bowl, lay a small sheet of cling film directly on the mixture and chill it down until it become stiff enough to spread.
  • Cut your bread and lightly toast it on both sides.
  • Once its cool, spread on the cheese topping (see the video on how to apply it to the toast) and grill or broil it for 5 to 7 minutes, on medium heat.
  • Serve piping hot as part of a main meal, or just on its own as a quick snack, either way, this Welsh classic is absolutely delicious.
  • Enjoy.

Equipment & products used in my kitchen and videos

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