Yahoo Lifestyle The British Way to Make a Grilled Cheese 10x Better
Hot, crispy and gooey, fewer foods are as sublime as a grilled cheese sandwich. It's really hard to beat the basic formula for the sandwich (bread plus cheese plus a cooking fat like butter or mayo) but still, it never hurts to jazz things up a smidge and make that grilled cheese even more undeniable.
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If you're bored of the all-American grilled cheese, why not give its saucier, posh British cousin a try? Traditional British foods often get a bad rap, but the cuisine is filled with delicious comfort foods like the Welsh rarebit. Here's why this British grilled cheese is about to become your new favorite indulgence.
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What Is Welsh Rarebit?
At its core, Welsh rarebit is cheese on toast. But calling it that and nothing more would be selling the British delicacy short. This isn’t just any cheese, and this isn’t just any toast.
Dating back to at least the 18th century, Welsh rarebit dish starts off with a thick slice of bread which then gets smothered in a rich and velvety cheese sauce made with sharp cheddar, beer, mustard and Worcestershire sauce. The whole shebang is broiled until bubbly and golden. The cozy toast has some deep, complex flavors due to the beer and Worcestershire, which adds an umami punch, and the mustard which cuts through some of that cheesy richness.In the U.K., you can find Welsh rarebit served as a common snack at pubs or with a salad to round out a complete meal.
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Okay, Why Is It Called Welsh Rarebit?
Originally called "Welsh rabbit" (despite containing no actual rabbit), some posit the name was intended as a jab towards the Welsh, who had a reputation for loving cheese. Others believe the name suggests this bread and cheese concoction was a poor man's substitute for meat. Over time, “rabbit” morphed into “rarebit,” a word that exists solely in the context of this dish.
Whatever you call it, Welsh rarebit is comfort food at its finest. The best part? You can probably make it right now with ingredients already in your kitchen.
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How to Make Welsh Rarebit
Start with sturdy, thick-cut sourdough bread and toast until golden and crisp. Meanwhile, in a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and whisk in flour; slowly add beer while stirring until the mixture is smooth, then stir in sharp cheddar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and a pinch of cayenne or paprika until the sauce is thick and gooey. Spoon the sauce over the toast and broil until bubbly and brown, then, for an extra touch, top with a runny fried egg to create the ultimate Buck Rarebit.
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It is a bit surprising that given just how much we love grilled cheese, mac and cheese and, well, any kind of cheese for that matter, we aren't sold on Welsh rarebit—yet. But now that you know the basics (and you know how easy it is to make), it's time to go off and make one for yourself.
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