I know it as Welsh Rarebit. Welsh as in from Wales. I’ve been eating variations of this since I was a kid. The BBC Food website has this recipe.
Ingredients
50g/2oz flour
50g/2oz butter
250ml/9oz strong beer, warmed
250g/9oz strong cheddar, grated
2tsp English mustard
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
black pepper
4 large slices granary bread
Method
In a small saucepan melt the butter and make a roux with the flour. Cook for a couple of minutes, stirring to prevent the roux from burning. Stir in the warm beer by degrees, until you have a thick but smooth sauce. Add the grated cheese and stir until melted. You should now have a thick paste. Mix in the mustard and Worcestershire sauce and season well with black pepper.
Lightly toast and butter the bread, then pile up the cheesy mixture on each slice. Cook under a hot grill for a few minutes, until browned and bubbling.
I’ve cooked this a fair bit but usually just go with an easier variation my mum taught me. I have never found an actual recipe for this version so I don’t have precise amounts for the ingredients as I just do it by eyeballing it. There were 11 in mum’s family so I think this was nana’s way to stretch out the wartime rations in England.
Heat 1 cup milk in a small pot and then add 2 eggs, stirring constantly then add grated sharp cheddar ( usually Cheshire, Lancashire or Wensleydale) constantly stirring until it is mostly melted but still has slight bits of cheese, serve over toast. Dash of Worcestershire sauce if you fancy.
