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a couple slices of walsh rarebit on a white plate garnished with some parsley.
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5 from 2 votes

Welsh Rarebit

Welsh Rarebit is a classic dish featuring toasted bread topped with a rich, creamy cheddar cheese and ale sauce. It's an indulgent and easy-to-make recipe that's perfect for a quick yet satisfying meal.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine: British
Servings: 4
Calories: 490kcal
Author: Joanna Cismaru

Ingredients

  • 4 slices sourdough bread or some other sturdy bread
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ¾ cup dark ale beer or stout
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon mustard powder
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 egg yolk
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Start by toasting the slices of bread. You can do this in a toaster until they're golden brown or in an oven preheated to 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes on each side. Set the toasted bread aside.
    process shots showing how to make walsh rarebit.
  • In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Once melted, reduce the heat to low and add in the beer. Allow the beer to warm up without letting it boil. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, mustard powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using) into the beer mixture. Mix well.
    process shots showing how to make walsh rarebit.
  • Gradually add the grated cheese to the saucepan, stirring constantly. Continue to cook on low heat until the cheese is fully melted and the mixture is smooth. In a small bowl, lightly beat the egg yolk. Take a few tablespoons of the cheese mixture and slowly whisk it into the egg yolk to temper it. Then, pour this egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan, stirring constantly to ensure the yolk doesn't scramble. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
    process shots showing how to make walsh rarebit.
  • Pour the cheese mixture over the toasted bread slices, ensuring each slice is generously covered. Place the covered toast under the broiler for a minute or two until bubbly and slightly browned. Sprinkle with chopped parsley for garnish (if using).
    process shots showing how to make walsh rarebit.

Notes

  1. Bread Choice: Use sturdy bread like sourdough to hold up under the rich cheese sauce.
  2. Cheese Variations: Feel free to mix in other cheeses like Gruyère or add a bit of blue cheese for extra flavor.
  3. Non-Alcoholic Option: Substitute the beer with milk or non-alcoholic beer if you prefer.
  4. Watch the Broiler: Keep a close eye when broiling to prevent the cheese from burning.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 490kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 120mg | Sodium: 797mg | Potassium: 164mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1006IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 447mg | Iron: 3mg