St. John Brown Sauce

The Philosophy of Elevated Simplicity True culinary mastery often reveals itself in the humblest dishes. Welsh Rarebit is not merely "cheese on toast"; it is a study in texture, acidity, and punchy British flavors. Inspired by Fergus Henderson and his legendary St. John restaurant, this recipe celebrates the nose-to-tail philosophy that transformed fine dining. By applying rigorous technique to simple ingredients, you transform a pub staple into a gourmet experience. Essential Tools and Materials To achieve a velvet texture, gather a heavy-based saucepan, a whisk, a pallet knife, and a high-powered blender. For the rarebit base, you need Newcastle Brown Ale, mature cheddar, and Gruyère. The St. John Brown Sauce requires apples, prunes, muscovado sugar, shallots, and a blend of warm spices like mace and clove. Building the Rarebit Foundation 1. **Infuse the Ale**: Simmer the brown ale with thyme and bay leaves. Set aside to steep. 2. **Develop the Roux**: Melt butter and whisk in flour. Cook until it reaches a nutty, biscuit-like aroma. This deepens the color and eliminates the raw flour taste. 3. **Emulsify**: Gradually whisk in the infused ale and a splash of milk. The milk stabilizes the fats to prevent splitting. 4. **The Cheese Blend**: Off the heat, fold in equal parts sharp cheddar and Gruyère. The Gruyère ensures a luxurious, smooth pull that cheddar alone cannot provide. 5. **Chill**: Refrigerate the mixture until firm. Chilling is vital; it allows you to dome the mixture on the bread without it running off during caramelization. Crafting the Signature Brown Sauce Simmer chopped apples, prunes, shallots, and spices in vinegar and sugar for 45 minutes. Once the fruit breaks down, add a splash of Henderson's Relish. Blitz the mixture until smooth and pass it through a fine sieve. The result is a glossy, complex condiment that cuts through the rich cheese. Final Assembly and Toasting Use thick slices of sourdough. Spread a layer of "Marmite butter"—a blend of butter, Marmite, and Dijon mustard—to provide a savory foundation. Spread the chilled cheese mix over the toast, smoothing it with a wet pallet knife. Blast it under a hot grill until blistered and mahogany-brown. Troubleshooting and Tips If your cheese sauce appears grainy, whisk in a teaspoon of warm water or more relish to bring it back. Always use the highest grill setting; you want to sear the top while the interior remains a decadent, molten mass.