Caws Pobi (Traditional Toasted Welsh Cheese)

Name: Caws Pobi (Traditional Toasted Welsh Cheese)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Welsh
Ingredients: 4 slices crusty farmhouse bread; 350 g mature welsh caerphilly cheese; 30 g salted welsh butter; 30 ml welsh traditional dry cider; 0.25 tsp ground mace; 0.5 tsp cracked black pepper; 0.25 tsp sea salt flakes; 1 tbsp Fresh chives

Thick slices of rustic farmhouse bread topped with rich, bubbling mature Welsh cheese, toasted until golden brown and intensely savoury.

🇬🇧United Kingdom· West Wales

Prep: 10 min
Cook: 10 min
Total: 20 min
Servings: 4
Difficulty: Easy
Calories: 460 kcal

Ingredients

0 of 8 gathered

Servings

4 slices crusty farmhouse bread — thickly cut, preferably sourdough or bloomer
350 g mature welsh caerphilly cheese — coarsely grated or thinly crumbled
30 g salted welsh butter — softened at room temperature
30 ml welsh traditional dry cider — or traditional buttermilk
¼ tsp ground mace — warm traditional spice
½ tsp cracked black pepper — freshly ground
¼ tsp sea salt flakes — for finishing
1 tbsp Fresh chives — finely snipped

Equipment

•Overhead grill
•Baking tray
•Box grater
•Butter knife

Nutrition

Per serving, approximate

Calories: 460 kcal
fat: 28 g
carbs: 32 g
fibre: 2 g
protein: 22 g
calories: 460 kcal

Instructions

1
Preheat the overhead grill to a medium-high heat setting.
2
Arrange the bread slices on a sturdy baking tray in a single layer.
3
Toast one side under the grill until light golden brown, about 2 minutes.
4
Turn the bread over and spread the untoasted side evenly with softened butter.
5
Toss the grated cheese with cider, mace, and black pepper in a bowl.
6
Pile the cheese mixture generously over the buttered side of each bread slice.
7
Place the baking tray under the grill about 10 cm from the heat.
8
Grill for 4 to 6 minutes until the cheese is completely melted and bubbling.
9
Garnish immediately with sea salt flakes and snipped chives before serving hot.

Chef's tips

Use a good-quality mature farmhouse cheese that melts smoothly without separating into oil. Watch the toast carefully during the final minutes under the grill to avoid burning the edges.

Ingredient substitutions

mature Welsh Caerphilly cheese → mature Welsh cheddar or crumbly Lancashire cheese
Welsh traditional dry cider → whole milk, buttermilk, or traditional Welsh ale

Storage

Caws pobi is best enjoyed immediately, but leftovers can be kept in a covered container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Reheating

Reheat on a baking tray under a medium grill for 3 to 4 minutes until hot and bubbling.

Common mistakes to avoid

•Using thin, pre-sliced sandwich bread that turns soggy under heavy melted cheese.
•Using pre-grated packaged cheese, which contains anti-caking starches that ruin the melt.
•Placing the tray too close to the grill element, charring the cheese before it melts through.

Serving suggestions

Serve immediately alongside pickled onions and crisp Welsh apple slices.Pair with a simple green leaf salad tossed in cider vinegar dressing.Accompany with a mug of strong hot tea or traditional dry cider.