What to do when you’ve run out of bread and can’t get to the shops? Soda bread is an excellent quick bread which doesn’t require any special bread flour or yeast. Traditional Irish soda bread has only 4 ingredients: plain flour, bicarbonate of soda (the raising agent), salt and buttermilk. These days we don’t churn our own butter so buttermilk isn’t typically in the fridge either. I found myself without and made a mixture of plain yoghurt and milk which worked perfectly!
Preheat your oven o 190ºC (375ºF). Line a baking sheet with baking paper and have a lightly floured work surface ready. Sift 400g (14 oz) of plain flour with 2 teaspoons of bi-carb soda into a mixing bowl. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and mix it through. Now you will need 400ml (14 fl oz) of buttermilk or make a mixture of milk and plain yoghurt in equal proportions. Mix the wetand dry mixtures until you have a moist almost sticky dough. Turn it onto he floured surface and bring it together into a flat circular shape. Soda bread should never be too thick or it won’t cook through. With a serrated knife cut a deep cross into the top of the bread and bake for 40-45 minutes. The loaf should sound hollow when tapped underneath. Allow the bead to cool uncovered for a super crunchy crust or cover with a tea towel for a softer crust. Delicious served warm.
* recipe adapted from here
michelle picker cooks 