Kentucky Beer Cheese on Toast Great Appetizer Recipe

I found this hearty Kentucky horse country appetizer recipe and thought you might like it as well. This would be perfect Kentucky Derby party food.

Welsh rarebit's American cousin-a punchy blend of cheese and beer melted over toast-is a classic horse-country dish.

Ingredients:
* 1 pound extra-sharp cheddar, cut into 1-inch cubes
* 3/4 cup dark beer
* 2 garlic cloves, minced
* 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
* 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
* Salt
* Toasted baguette slices from 2 baguettes
* Sliced tomatoes

Directions:
1. In a food processor, combine the cheddar with the beer, garlic, mustard and cayenne and blend until smooth. Season the beer cheese with salt.
2. Preheat the broiler. Spread the toasts with the beer cheese and arrange them on a rimmed baking sheet. Broil the toasts 6 inches from the heat for about 2 minutes, rotating the pan, until the cheese is bubbling and browned around the edges. Top with tomato slices and serve.

WINE Dark beer would be more appropriate with this down-home dish, but Huffman is just as happy with Kendall-Jackson's lively 2006 Vintner's Reserve Riesling, which typically has a zippy acidity that's a good complement to sharp cheese.

TOTAL TIME: 25 MIN
SERVES: 6

Recipe by Amber Huffman
From Pairing Kendall-Jackson Wines with Kentucky Cooking, Easy and Delicious Recipes, Food & Wine Magazine