welsh rarebit

In America, we'd probably call it an open-faced grilled cheese sandwich, but across the Atlantic in the British Isles, it's known as Welsh rarebit (also called Welsh rabbit). The dish consists of a beer and cheese sauce that is poured over a slice of toast. Dating back to 300 years ago, rarebit first made its appearance in taverns across Ireland and England. Who wouldn't want to pair their ale with a cheese toasty?

While there are various renditions of rarebit, this particular recipe features Guinness and Irish cheddar to make it St. Patrick's Day-appropriate. The cheesy spread doesn't look very appetizing after a whirl in the food processor, but after a trip to the broiler, it emerges bubbling, gooey, and impossible to resist. Comforting like the American classic but with bolder flavors from the beer, mustard, and cayenne, it's like a grilled cheese, all grown up.

Try this recipe for Welsh rarebit with an Irish twist.

If you're in search of a dramatically different recipe for dinner this Winter, take a stab at Welsh rarebit, a classic British dish made of bread topped with a melted cheese mixture.

This contemporary rendition not only makes use of a low-maintenance crockpot, but also incorporates bacon and chicken to add flavor and substance. To get the crowd-pleasing recipe, read more