"I am a Welshman. I do love cause
boby [sic], good roasted cheese.' First Boke of the Introduction
of Knowledge, Andrew Boorde, 1547.
Welsh rarebit is perhaps the most famous Welsh
dish of them all and one which, along with Irish Stew and Scottish
Haggis, travelled the world over. There is much debate as to where
the name derives from. Some say it comes simply from ‘rare'
(lightly cooked) and ‘bit' (small portion) others believe
it derives from the traditional Welshman's inability to catch
a rabbit leaving him to use cheese as a poor alternative!
8oz grated, strong cheese such as Cheddar or Cheshire
1 tablespoon Welsh butter
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 level teaspoon dry mustard
2 teaspoons flour
4 tablespoons Welsh beer (or milk)
shake of pepper
4 slices bread toasted on 1 side only
Put the cheese, flour, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, butter and
pepper into a saucepan. Mix well and then add the beer or milk
to moisten. Do not make it too wet. Stir over a gentle heat until
all is melted, and when it is a thickish paste, stop stirring,
and swivel it around the saucepan, which it will do quite easily.
Leave to cool a little, and meanwhile toast the bread on one side
only. Spread the rarebit over the untoasted side and brown under
a hot grill. This mixture can be made and kept in the refrigerator
for several days if required. Sweet white wine can be used instead
of beer and gives a good flavour. Serves 4. Welsh Rarebit is called
Caws Pobi in the Welsh language.
Our self catering Welsh holiday cottages
have fully equipped kitchens ideal for trying out some of these
Welsh recipes.
Welsh Food Festivals
Why not combine a holiday at our self catering
cottages with one of the following food festivals?
Abergavenny Food Festival
Wales's best known food festival.
Neath
Market Faggot and Peas Festival
Served at Neath Market since the 1920's and still a favourite
today, a Faggots and Peas Competiton is held every September.
