My mom (hi, Mom!) is fond of a dish called Welsh rarebit, which is basically a cheese sauce over bread, bacon, and tomatoes. Being a very talented cook with a captive audience, she inducted me into the cult of rarebit fandom while I was growing up. I love Welsh rarebit. However, not all members of my household are as entranced by this meal as I am. Apparently, some people don't find cheese and bread quite sufficient for dinner. (?!?)
But the sauce is really good, either when used in Welsh rarebit or when smothered over vegetables or pasta. It's also fast and easy to make - I made a batch to go over steamed broccoli tonight, and the sauce was ready before the water had even come to a boil for the broccoli (bad timing on my part). So, without further ado:
Cheese sauce
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour or cornstarch
1 cup cheddar cheese (reduced fat cheese works fine)
1/4 cup stout or other dark beer (or more for a thinner sauce)
black or white pepper
- In a small saucepan, melt butter over low heat
- Stir in flour/cornstarch until mixture is smooth
- Add in cheese and beer, alternating between the two. Stir, stir, and stir some more. The sauce should be glossy and smooth when it's ready.
- Add black or white pepper to taste
- Serve over vegetables, potatoes, pasta, or any combination of the above. Alternatively, serve over toasted hunks of bread, slices of tomatoes, and bacon crumbles for Welsh rarebit.
But the sauce is really good, either when used in Welsh rarebit or when smothered over vegetables or pasta. It's also fast and easy to make - I made a batch to go over steamed broccoli tonight, and the sauce was ready before the water had even come to a boil for the broccoli (bad timing on my part). So, without further ado:
Cheese sauce
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour or cornstarch
1 cup cheddar cheese (reduced fat cheese works fine)
1/4 cup stout or other dark beer (or more for a thinner sauce)
black or white pepper
- In a small saucepan, melt butter over low heat
- Stir in flour/cornstarch until mixture is smooth
- Add in cheese and beer, alternating between the two. Stir, stir, and stir some more. The sauce should be glossy and smooth when it's ready.
- Add black or white pepper to taste
- Serve over vegetables, potatoes, pasta, or any combination of the above. Alternatively, serve over toasted hunks of bread, slices of tomatoes, and bacon crumbles for Welsh rarebit.
