California Rarebit Recipes

WELSH RAREBIT

Steps:

• Chopped fresh chives, for sprinkling
• Put a skillet over low heat and add 2 tablespoons of the butter. Toast the bread in the skillet until the underside is golden brown, a couple of minutes. Turn the bread over, toast the other side, then remove from the skillet and keep warm.
• To make the sauce, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over low heat. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk together until combined. Cook over low heat, stirring continuously, until the taste of the flour is cooked out, about 2 minutes.
• Pour in the beer and milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps, and cook for an additional minute to thicken. Add the mustard, paprika, cayenne and Worcestershire sauce, then whisk some more. Add the cheese, whisking slowly, and cook until smooth, melted and very hot, a couple of minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the egg yolk.
• Lay a piece of toast on each plate, spoon the hot sauce over the toast and sprinkle with chopped chives.

WELSH RAREBIT

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the butter and whisk in the flour. Cook, whisking constantly for 2 to 3 minutes, being careful not to brown the flour. Whisk in mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper until smooth. Add beer and whisk to combine. Pour in cream and whisk until well combined and smooth. Gradually add cheese, stirring constantly, until cheese melts and sauce is smooth; this will take 4 to 5 minutes. Add hot sauce. Pour over toast and serve immediately.

TRADITIONAL WELSH RAREBIT

Steps:

• Melt butter in a saucepan oven low heat. Add flour and whisk for 2 to 3 minutes, being careful not to brown the flour. Whisk in Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt, and pepper until very smooth. Whisk in beer. Pour in heavy cream and whisk until smooth. Add Cheddar cheese gradually, stirring constantly, until melted and smooth, about 5 minutes.
• Remove cheese sauce from the heat and let cool, about 5 minutes. Whisk in egg yolks.
• Set oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.
• Toast bread slices on 1 side. Arrange on a baking sheet with the untoasted side facing up. Spoon cheese sauce over the untoasted side.
• Place under the preheated broil until bubbling and golden, 2 to 3 minutes.

REAL WELSH RAREBIT

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat; blend in the flour, salt, pepper, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and hot pepper sauce; continue cooking and stirring until the mixture is smooth and bubbly, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; gradually stir in the milk; return to heat and stir continually until the mixture comes to a boil. Slowly pour in the beer; cook 1 minute more while still stirring. Melt the Cheddar cheese into the mixture in small portions until completely incorporated. Remove from heat.

SCOTTISH (OR ENGLISH) RAREBIT

Steps:

• Heat the cheese, beer and butter over low heat, stirring, until it melts.
• Add mustard and a splash of Worcestershire sauce.
• Meanwhile, be toasting bread.
• Pour sauce over toast and serve.

CAULIFLOWER RAREBITS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large frying pan and sear the cauliflower steaks for 3-4 mins on each side until nicely browned. Lift onto kitchen paper, then put in the fridge to keep cool. Can be done up to two days ahead.
• To make the rarebit, melt the butter in a saucepan and stir in the flour to make a sandy paste. Add the milk a little at a time to make a thick white sauce. Bubble gently, stirring often for a couple of mins, then stir in the cheese, cayenne, mustard and Worcestershire sauce and stir until the cheese has melted into a smooth, rich sauce. Remove the pan from the heat and leave to cool slightly, then beat in the yolks and season. Transfer to an airtight container and keep in the fridge if not using straight away. Can be made up to two days ahead.
• Before you assemble, take the cheesy rarebit mix out of the fridge at least an hour before you need it. Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Lay the cauliflower on a baking sheet, then divide and spread or press on the rarebit mix until completely covered. Bake in the oven for 12-15 mins, then finish under a hot grill until bubbling and golden. Transfer the cauliflower rarebits to two plates and serve with a spoonful of chutney and a generous handful of watercress salad. Perfect with a pint of beer.

CALIFORNIA RAREBIT

Steps:

• Melt 1 tbl of butter in the top of a double boiler.
• Add the wine and heat, then stir in 2 cups of the cheese.
• Heat until melted.
• Add a little of the cheese mixture to the beaten egg and then add the egg mixture back into the cheese.
• Cook and stir about 1 minute.
• Add the Worcestershire sauce and basil, set aside keeping the sauce warm.
• Saute the mushrooms in the remaining butter until just tender then sprinkle with the garlic powder and remove from the heat.
• Arrange toast points or triangles on individual heatproof plates.
• Spoon the sauce over the toast then top with the sauteed mushrooms.
• Sprinkle with the remaining cheese and broil until bubbly.