Hackney Rarebit (Welsh Rarebit with Ale & Black Pudding)

This is what winter is for, glorified cheese on toast!  A twist on the delicious classic Welsh Rarebit, this one has the kitchen sink thrown in.  It is rich, & more than a meal in istelf.  You only need a good ale or red wine to go with it.

For vegetarians, remove the black pudding and top the grilled rarebit with a poached egg ("Buck Rarebit")

This is an obvious breakfast, or lunch, but made a hearty evening meal for me last night.  I'm smiling just thinking about it.


CLICK BELOW FOR RECIPE


For the Sauce
8oz/220g grated, strong Cheddar
1 tbs  butter
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 level tsp dry mustard
2 tsps plain flour
4 tbs Ale, or stout, or milk
3 slices black pudding
black pepper
parsley (optional)
Bread, Farmhouse or Rye

1. Melt the butter in a pan & gently fry the slices of black pudding, then remove from the pan and keep warm.
2. Stir in the flour into the remaining butter for a minute or two.
3. Put the cheese, ale, Worcester sauce and mustard in the pan & stir until melted.
4. Meanwhile, grill a few pieces of toast on one side.
   
5. Put some chopped parsley (if using) and the black pudding on the untoasted sides.
6. Let the sauce cool a bit, before spooning on to the black pudding & grill until golden.
7. Eat.
   

This is obviously bad for you physically, but very good for morale!  Live a shorter, happier life I say.

Welsh Rarebit is essentially a grilled cheese sauce with a liquid (beer/cider/port/whisky/milk etc.), something to thicken it (flour/egg/double cream etc), and then usually a bit of  kick (cayenne/paprika/mustard/tabasco/worcestershire sauce etc).  It will always be good if you use any combination of good ingredients.  A good strong cheese is essential, as the taste mellows a bit as it cooks.

One variation,"English Rarebit" is to pour some port onto the toasted bread before adding the cheese sauce.  I've tried this and think it's slightly unpleasant!  Each to their own...

You can make it a few days in advance and whip it out of the fridge for an emergency cheese fix.