Irish Rarebit

Ingredients

8 slices sourdough bread or Irish soda bread without raisins or currants
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon flour
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/4 cup Guinness Beer (or another stout or ale)
1 cup aged Irish cheddar cheese
1 bunch chives (chopped)

Directions

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and stir. Cook for 1-2 minutes, creating a nice roux. Add Worcestershire sauce and mustard and mix. Add beer and stir until smooth. Add cheese and cook, stirring constantly, until all the cheese is fully melted. The cheese sauce should be fairly thick.

Set your oven to broil. Place sliced bread on to an ungreased baking sheet. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until lightly toasted on the top. Remove from oven. Spoon cheese mixture on to each slice, spreading evenly to the edges. Return the bread to the oven and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, until the cheese is lightly browned and bubbly.

Remove from oven and serve with a generous sprinkle of fresh chives.