How to Make ‘Welsh Rabbit (Rarebit)’, A Traditional Cheesy Toast From the Victorian Era

Max MillerofTasting History prepared a traditional Victorian version of the 18th century comfort food Welsh Rabbit or Welsh Rarebit", a toasty grilled cheese with a bit of spice. As he was mixing the ingredients, Miller explained the history behind this common dish and that the origin of its name is rather nebulous.

More than likely, we'llnever know the provenance because it was probablysome twist of linguistics or some inside jokethat has just been lost to history.

Miller also addresses the evolution of the dish itself - from lowly pub food to an elegant late-night snack, going from rabbit to rarebit in certain circles.

More likely it was originally rabbitbecause that's what we see in print first.And it's not until about 50 years later, in the late18th century, that we start to see the word rarebit around. And maybe that change was just todiscern that this is not an actual rabbit dish,but a rarebit dish. It could also simplybe a matter of accent.

He also talked about the long-standing cultural myths associated with this cheesy toast, including its peculiar reputation for causing vivid nightmares.

Therehas long been a connection between eating cheeseand having nightmares. ...So, when Welsh rarebit came on the scene,it's no wonder that it also got associatedwith these horrible nightmares. In fact, Welshrarebit nightmare" is all over the newspapers ofthis time. They use it in all sorts of differentways, and it led to one newspaper having to assertthat Government experts declare that cheeseis not indigestible, and that the Welsh rarebit nightmare is a myth.

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