Smoked Cheese and Cherry Tomato Rarebit:
On Toast Snack or Light Supper Recipe
Sometimes all that is needed is something on toast; beans, tomatoes, cheese and egg are always perfect partners for an “on toast” snack or light supper dish, but it’s nice to push the taste boundaries when serving something on toast now and then. And so it was the other day when I served this delicious recipe for lunch – I had a nice piece of oak smoked Cheddar in the pantry, some home-made oat bread as well as some lovely little cherry tomatoes. I have been captivated with a new discovery recently, smoked sea salt (by Maldon), and I decided to add another layer of smoke to my simple recipe for an alternative Welsh rarebit; the cherry tomatoes were pan-fried with garlic and oregano in a little local rapeseed oil and then I threw in a generous pinch of smoked salt, before piling them (in a very haphazard fashion) onto my toasted bread. The toast was loaded, buttered with Clover Seedburst (another new culinary discovery) and was ready to receive the next layer of smoke, the oak smoked Cheddar.
I was asked to develop two recipes with Clover Seedburst recently, and my first recipe was a delectable Sticky Ginger Marmalade Tea Loaf, you can see the recipe here: The Lavender & Lovage Weekend Bakery: Sticky Ginger Marmalade Tea Loaf Recipe. Having baked a sweet treat already, I decided to make a savoury snack and supper recipe for my next recipe, and I am very happy with my recipe for Smoked Cheese and Cherry Tomato Rarebit, plus, the seeded spread adds a lovely nutty texture and taste to the overall dish. As you can see from the photos, it’s an easy recipe to prepare and cook, however one tip is to make sure you have all the ingredients cut, sliced and pre-fried to hand, as well as the grill pan lined and the grill set to high, ready for grilled cheese take-off.
You can be as greedy as you wish when adding the cheese – I thought I had been pretty generous with the cheese until it melted, so do add an extra slab or two on your tomato loaded toast if you want a pile of molten cheese topping your toasted snack. You can of course use any good melting cheese that takes your fancy – Red Leicester, Lancashire and Cheshire would also be good choices, as well as a spot of Blue cheese for a more sophisticated “grown-up” flavour. I served this with a green side salad, with a creamy garlic dressing, but, it will be just as delicious served sans salad whilst sitting relaxing in front of the telly, or by the fire listening to the wireless. (That’s the old-fashioned word for a radio – I prefer it actually as it has a certain ring to it!)
As I mentioned before, and this high praise coming from a “butter girl”, I am VERY impressed with Seedburst – it has 70% less saturated fat than butter, and contains seeds and whole grains in it. It’s suitable for vegetarians and it TASTES great, with a lovely nutty texture, as you can see from the photos. I hope that you enjoy my second Seedburst recipe, and although I developed this recipe for Seedburst, you can of course use any spread you prefer, although I think the recipe benefits from having a little bit of seeds and whole grains added to it, for texture and taste. That’s all for today, I will be back later with more recipes, as well as some reviews, see you then, Karen
Smoked Cheese and Cherry Tomato Rarebit
Serves | 2 as a snack or light lunch |
Prep time | 5 minutes |
Cook time | 15 minutes |
Total time | 20 minutes |
Dietary | Vegetarian |
Meal type | Lunch, Main Dish, Snack, Starter |
Misc | Child Friendly, Serve Hot |
Occasion | Casual Party, Easter, Valentines day |
Region | British |
By author | Karen S Burns-Booth |
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon rapeseed oil
- 20 cherry tomatoes, halved (about 50g)
- 2 fat cloves garlic, peeled and finely diced
- a few fresh oregano leaves (and some reserved for garnish)
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked sea salt (I used Maldon smoked sea salt)
- Oak smoked Cheddar cheese, sliced (enough slices to cover the toast, about 50g)
- 2 thick slices bread of your choice (I used sliced home-made oat bread)
- Butter, or spread of your choice (I used Clover Seedburst spread)
- freshly ground pepper
Note
A delectable twist on the usual Welsh Rarebit, this recipe is easy to assemble and cook, and is on the table in 20 minutes. Smoked sea salt is added to cherry tomatoes and garlic, which makes for a tasty base under the cheese, and the oregano adds a wonderful herbal flavour. I used Clover Seedburst to spread on my toast, but, butter can also be used.
Directions
Step 1 | Heat up the oil in a frying pan and add the garlic, tomatoes, oregano leaves and smoked sea salt. Gently fry over a low heat until the garlic is cooked and soft, and the tomatoes are soft. |
Step 2 | Meanwhile, toast the bread, on both sides and whilst it is still hot spread butter or the spread of your choice over it. (I used Clover Seedburst) |
Step 3 | Place the two slices of buttered toast on a lined baking tray and then spoon over the garlic and tomato mixture. Arrange the slices of smoked cheese over the top, making sure they cover the toast right up the edges, and then place under a grill and cook until the cheese has melted and is bubbling. |
Step 4 | Serve immediately with a side salad, freshly ground black pepper and some oregano leaves as a garnish. |
Step 5 | Any cheese can be used, but the smoked Cheddar is particularly nice with the smoked sea salt. |
Oh, this is my favourite! I love cheese and tomato toasties, rarebits…and on. I even have my American children in love with these.
Nazneen xx
OH THIS LOOKS DELISH
oooh, a perfect light lunch… very tasty indeed and so fresh and healthy too… heaven!
Thanks Dom! Pretty lush too! Karen
i’m hungry now looking at this 🙂
A lovely light lunch. I don’t think I’ve ever tried smoked cheddar. This is one to try.
That is a seriously good-looking cheese on toast!
Oh this sounds so lovely, I can just imagine having this for supper on a summer’s evening!
Any evening would be good for me!! I am a cheese and toast addict!
This looks fabulous. I’m practically drooling here. The other half would adore this – he loves cheese on toast!
This looks lovely!
a classic paring and delicious thank you 🙂
I just made this for lunch and it was great I tweeted it so that my friends can make it too 🙂
I love smoked cheese, particularly scamorza. This looks very moreish
Gorgeous! Two of my favourite things – cherry tomatoes and smoked cheese – would not have thought to make something so simple with the 2 of them though!
I keep thinking this would be so nice with some chopped chorizo – maybe for Saturday brunch!
I have never tried or even seen Clover Seedburst! Have to get some!
Oh I wish I’d seen this yesterday! I had leftover Scarmorza and could have made this instead of a boring average salad. Lovely flavour pairing, making my mouth water! 🙂
Having this for tea, I think! In the mood for cheese/carbs/comfort!
Looks so yummy. I wish I liked cherry tomatoes !
what does the rarebit part mean?
sounds fab – thanks!
Making this tomorrow! Thanks!
Made this again with a little Branston = even yummier!
ooh,what a great cheesy recipe,love it xx
Had this last night – lovely!
This really does turn a humble slice of toast into a gourmet meal! It’s become a firm favourite.
This sounds a delicious combination, and quite easy to prepare.
Am definitely going to add this to my favourite recipes.
Having this for breakfast today!
This is my personal favourite recipe of yours!
Doing this for supper tonight, but with a home made cheese loaf for the bread – can’t wait!
This looks delicious. Will have to try it right away!
Could you use other things in place of the tomatos ?? Do you have any suggestions ?
Am a big fan of smoked cheeses, but for some reason it had never crossed my mind to grill it, I only ever eat it straight from the fridge. Will be trying this out for lunch in the next couple of days.
I am going to make this tonight for supper it looks delish-thanks for posting i think it will go down a treat!
I tried this! LOVE it and so did hubby!
shared via G+1 – lovely recipe thanks
where can you get the clover seed burst I keep looking out for it but I can’t seem to find it anywhere ?!
Ah these look lovely, we call these cheese and tomato snacks at my house, I might do some later in fact with my homemade loaf using almond flour, I’m tempted to add tomato puree to them to make them more pizza-esque!
My kids adore this!!!! So do I!!!! Thank you x
delish love cheese on toast
My partner adores smoked cheese, this sounds a great idea. Must have a look for smoked sea salt.
I love rarebit! I am definitely going to try this one! Smoked cheese is amazing with anything, really looking forward to trying this.
Wow this looks amazing will definately have to give it a try, thankyou x