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Meat, Northern, Eastern and Western France

Welsh rarebit with ham and fries

Welsh rarebit is a baked dish of country bread, ham and cheddar melted in beer, served with fries. For 4 people, it takes 45 minutes, it's an easy recipe, at €3.10 per serving. The key is melting the cheddar sauce gently so it stays smooth before it goes over the bread.

We're having welsh rarebit tonight, that big bake of bread, ham and melted cheddar in beer, with fries on the side. Kids love it.

Welsh rarebit with ham and fries
Total time
45 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€3.10
Calories per person
790 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

Welsh rarebit is the kind of dish that warms you up without any fuss. The bread turns soft under a runny cheddar sauce flavored with blonde beer, while a slice of ham adds extra richness. The top gets golden and slightly crisp under the broiler, while the inside stays creamy. It's hearty, comforting, with no fancy techniques, exactly what you want from a northern French classic in winter.

It's the perfect weeknight dinner when it's cold outside and everyone is hungry. Kids love the combination of melted cheese and fries, and you'll appreciate that it only takes 45 minutes with minimal cleanup. It also works well for a relaxed Sunday evening with the family, an easy way to please everyone at the table.

The ingredients

4 people

Bakery

  • Country bread 8 slices

Butcher

  • Ham 4 slices

Dairy

  • Cheddar 300 g
  • Eggs 2
  • Butter 20 g

Pantry

  • Blonde beer 25 cl
  • Mustardoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Worcestershire sauceoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Frozen foods

  • Frozen fries 600 g

Allergens Gluten, Lactose, Eggs, Mustard

The step by step recipe

  1. Put the fries in the oven following the package instructions and turn on the broiler. 25 min

    Start the fries first, they'll finish at the same time as the rarebit.

  2. Arrange the bread in a buttered dish, with half a slice of ham on each piece.

    Lightly toast the bread first so it doesn't get soggy.

  3. Melt the grated cheddar with the beer in a saucepan, stir until smooth, then add the mustard, Worcestershire sauce and pepper. 8 min

    Heat gently so the cheese melts smoothly without going stringy or stiff.

  4. Off the heat, stir in the egg yolks, then spoon the sauce over the bread.

    Don't let it boil once the yolks are added.

  5. Broil until the top is golden and serve with the fries. 8 min

    Stay near the oven, it can go from golden to burnt fast.

Our tips to get it right

  • Use a well aged cheddar, it melts better and gives the sauce more flavor than a mild, mass market cheddar.
  • Pick a blonde beer you'd actually enjoy drinking, its bitterness carries straight through into the dish.
  • Butter the baking dish generously so the bread doesn't stick and lifts out easily with a spoon.

The variations

  • Swap the cheddar for Comté or Gruyère if that's what you have, the result will be milder.
  • For a vegetarian version, skip the ham and add sautéed mushrooms between the bread and the sauce.
  • For a quicker, kid friendly version, cut the bread into small squares before adding the sauce, so they become easy to pick up bites.

What to serve it with

  • A green salad with a sharp vinaigrette
  • Pickles for a tangy bite
  • A glass of the same blonde beer

Storage

Welsh rarebit keeps for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It doesn't freeze well since the cheese sauce can split. Reheat it in the oven rather than the microwave to get a golden top again.

Questions about this dish

Can you make welsh rarebit ahead of time?

You can make the cheddar sauce and arrange the bread and ham in the dish a few hours ahead. Pour the sauce on and broil just before serving so the top turns golden.

Which beer works best for welsh rarebit?

A classic blonde beer works perfectly, it adds bitterness without overpowering the cheese. Avoid very strong tasting beers that would dominate the cheddar.

Can you use a different bread?

Thick sliced sandwich bread or whole wheat bread works just as well, as long as it's firm enough to hold the sauce. Avoid very soft bread that gets soggy too fast.

Why add the egg yolks off the heat?

Egg yolks thicken the sauce and make it creamier, but they cook very fast. Adding them over direct heat risks curdling them into lumps.

How long does it take to make a welsh rarebit with ham and fries?

Count 45 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a welsh rarebit with ham and fries?

About 790 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a welsh rarebit with ham and fries cost?

About €3.10 per serving, or €12.40 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose, eggs, mustard. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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