The Fascinating Story of Welsh Rarebit: From Insult to Appetizer
A Dish Fit for a Party
Imagine serving a delicious, cheesy, and utterly addictive appetizer at your next cocktail party. Your guests will rave about the flavor and texture of this tasty treat, and you’ll be thrilled to share its fascinating history.
From Rude to Refined
Welsh rarebit, originally known as Welsh rabbit, was once a derogatory term used to mock the Welsh. However, during the late 18th century, such insults fell out of favor, and the name evolved into rarebit, meaning a choice morsel. Today, rarebit refers to crispy bread slices smothered in a rich, mustardy cheese sauce.
A Simple yet Elegant Recipe
Our version of Welsh rarebit uses toasted baguette slices, making it an ideal passed hors d’oeuvre for your next gathering. To ensure easy spreading, prepare the cheese sauce up to 4 days in advance and refrigerate it until needed. For a quicker solution, skip toasting the baguette slices before topping them with the cheese sauce.
Recipe Highlights
- Yields: 20 servings as an hors d’oeuvre
- Difficulty: Medium
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Active Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 8 ounces aged farmhouse cheddar, finely chopped
- 3/4 cup porter or stout beer, such as Guinness
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons dry mustard powder, such as Colman’s
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 sweet baguette, cut into 1/4-inch slices and toasted
Instructions
- Make the Cheese Sauce: Combine butter and flour in a medium saucepan and cook over medium heat until toasted and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add cheese, beer, Worcestershire, mustard, and paprika, and cook, stirring constantly, until cheese is melted and smooth, about 3 minutes.
- Assemble and Broil: Arrange toasted baguette slices on a baking sheet, spread 2 teaspoons of the cheese mixture on each slice, and broil until the cheese mixture is bubbling and browned, about 1 to 2 minutes. Serve immediately.
Beverage Pairing
Pair your Welsh rarebit with Brasserie Dupont Foret Organic Saison Ale from Belgium, a dry white wine, or any other beer of your choice. The complex flavors of the ale complement the richness of the rarebit perfectly.
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