Scots rabbit (Scottish cheese on toast) recipe (2024)

Table of Contents
Timings Serves Ingredients Method FAQs

Welsh rabbit and rarebit are the same dish – hot cheese served on toast – but the original 18th-century name was supposed to be a joke (there was no rabbit in it at all) so it became known as rarebit. This recipe, a Scots version, is based on one in Margaret Dods’ The Cook and Housewife’s Manual, published in 1828.

If there’s just two of you and you have no time to cook anything fancy, but still want to celebrate Burns Night, this is the way to do it. Otherwise you can scale this up and serve it as a savoury, but if it’s part of a meal I’d serve half a slice of toast to each person. You’re really supposed to cut the crusts off to look neat but I never do. I love the crusts.

Timings

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 15 minutes

Serves

2

Ingredients

  • 15g butter
  • 15g plain flour
  • ¼-½ tsp mustard powder
  • pinch of cayenne pepper, or to taste
  • 35ml porter
  • 200g cheddar, grated
  • 1-2 large, thick slices of bread (whatever bread you want)

Method

1. Heat your grill. Melt the butter in a pan then stir in the flour. When they come together and the mixture starts to smell nutty, add the mustard powder and cayenne, stirring these in, then add the porter and the cheese.

2. Stir together over a low heat until the cheese has melted and the mixture is coming away from the sides of the pan. Taste to see whether you want more heat from cayenne.

3. Toast the bread on both sides – but don’t take it too far, it shouldn’t be rigid – and put the slices in a gratin dish or on a baking sheet that has a lip.

4. Spoon the cheese mixture on top of the toast and put under the grill. Grill until bubbling. It takes five minutes with my grill but they all vary, so keep an eye on it and pull the toasts out when you can see that they’re ready.

Scots rabbit (Scottish cheese on toast) recipe (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between Welsh rarebit and cheese on toast? ›

Is welsh rarebit just cheese on toast? No! Cheese on toast is made by grilling slices of pure cheese on toasted bread whereas welsh rarebit is a grilled cheese based sauce made from cheese, flour, beer and often added egg.

What is rarebit sauce made of? ›

Welsh rarebit sauce typically includes butter, milk, beer, Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, ground black pepper, all-purpose flour, salt, and Cheddar cheese.

What is cheese on toast called in the UK? ›

It's not a grilled cheese sandwich, as that's what when in the UK would call a cheese toastie or a toasted cheese sandwich. It's not a Welsh Rarebit, as that's a dish made of a type of cheese sauce poured over toast and grilled made in the UK.

What is the best ale for rarebit? ›

My favourite is a golden ale, which brings a fantastic hoppy, boozy flavour, without being domineering. Stout or Guinness can be a delicious addition to a Welsh rarebit, but they can be potent: cut them with milk (75g of each) to prevent the sauce becoming overwhelming.

Is Welsh rarebit discontinued? ›

We've discontinued our Welsh Rarebit, Robert. We're glad you enjoyed it though and will take note that you'd like to see it back!

What does Welsh rarebit taste like? ›

The Cheese Sauce

“It's typically a cheese sauce, like a bechamel or mornay, and you can flavor it from that point however you wish.” Common inclusions in recipes for rarebit are elements that deepen and enhance the cheese sauce flavor such as beer, Worcestershire, mustard, cayenne, or nutmeg.

Can you buy ready made Welsh rarebit? ›

Stouffer's Welsh Rarebit Frozen Dish offers a quick, easy addition to lunch or dinner. This Stouffer's Welsh Rarebit microwave dish includes creamy cheese sauce made with 100% real cheddar cheese.

What is a substitute for beer in Welsh rarebit? ›

If you don't like beer, you can replace it with milk; it will still taste great!

What is an elegant rarebit? ›

An indulgent twist on the more traditional Welsh Rarebit. This savoury treat is expertly made by combining our West Country Farmhouse Cheddar with Worcestershire sauce, mustard, a whole egg and a drop of Fortnum's Ale with dry-cured bacon. A favourite in our restaurants.

What is a grilled cheese sandwich called in Scotland? ›

A grilled cheese sandwich is called cheese toastie. It's pretty common pub food, although not the kids staple comfort food it is in the US.

What do they call cheese on toast in America? ›

What do you call a sandwich with cheese (and ham) that you put in an iron to make the bread go crispy and the cheese go melty? It depends on where in the world you are. Familiar names are: toastie (UK), grilled cheese sandwich (US), jaffle (Australia), panini (Italy), and croque monsieur (France).

What kind of beans do Brits eat on toast? ›

But the concept of baked beans on toast seems to be an iconic British staple. And Heinz (yep, the ketchup company) claims the combo was invented by one of its executives in 1927. British baked beans are traditionally made with navy beans, which are a small white bean.

What is a Scottish style ale? ›

Scottish-style ales vary depending on strength and flavor, but in general retain a malt-forward character with some degree of caramel-like malt flavors and a soft and chewy mouthfeel. Some examples feature a light smoked peat flavor. Hops do not play a huge role in this style.

What beer goes with rabbit? ›

Rabbit has a lean, earthy flavor, while squirrel tends to be a little nutty and tannic. Check out Pilsners, Bocks, and black lagers. Pilsner is a light-colored beer that is usually crisp and slightly bitter. Grilled squirrel goes perfectly with a Pilsner.

What is the difference between Welsh rarebit and hot brown? ›

A Hot Brown Sandwich (sometimes known as a Kentucky Hot Brown) is a variation on the traditional Welsh rarebit. A Hot Brown Sandwich (sometimes known as a Kentucky Hot Brown) is a variation on the traditional Welsh rarebit. The Hot Brown was created at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, by Fred K.

How would you describe Welsh rarebit? ›

Welsh rarebit, a traditional British dish consisting of toasted bread topped with a savory cheddar cheese sauce that typically includes such ingredients as beer or ale, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne, mustard, and paprika. If an egg is served atop the dish, it is called buck rarebit.

What is another name for melted cheese on toast? ›

Fancy a panini, Reuben sandwich, quesadilla, croque monsieur or Welsh Rarebit? The grilled cheese sandwich or toastie has many names and comes in many forms around the globe. At the heart of them all is the stretchy, rich and tasty deliciousness of cheese.

What is a fancy name for a cheese toast? ›

Familiar names are: toastie (UK), grilled cheese sandwich (US), jaffle (Australia), panini (Italy), and croque monsieur (France). The toasted sandwich is not limited to these countries, however. You will find this popular snack, lunch, or dinner in every corner of our planet.

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