Soda bread recipe
Soda bread is a traditional Irish bread. As a child I really didn't like it at all, but now I love it. It is the first thing I look for when I go to visit my family in Ireland.
It is best eaten fresh but you can freeze it once it has cooled and is great toasted too. Served with homemade soup it makes a lovely lunch, or have it with butter and jam! Delicious. It only takes an hour to make so is a great option if you don't have time to make a yeasted loaf.
Ingredients - makes one loaf
- 225g of plain flour
- 225g of wholemeal flour
- Half a teaspoon of salt
- One teaspoon of castor sugar
- One teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda
- Two tablespoons of lemon juice
- 300ml of milk
Method
- Measure the 300ml of milk into a jug.
- Add the two tablespoons of lemon juice.
- Stir and set aside.
4. Turn the oven on to 210 degrees.
5. Place a heavy cast iron casserole dish with a lid into the oven. If you don't have one you can skip this stage.
6. Wait 10 minutes before starting the next stage. This will give the oven time to start warming up and allow the milk and lemon juice to react.
5. Weigh the two flours into a bowl and stir to mix.
6. Add the salt, bicarbonate of soda and sugar and stir well.
7. Add the milk/juice mixture to the flour and mix well.
8. Keep a little of the liquid back to make sure it does not get too sticky. If necessary add the last bit. If it is too sticky, add a bit more flour.
9. The dough should be soft and not too dry.
10. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and shape into a flattened ball.
11. Cut a cross in the top with a sharp knife.
12. Remove the cast iron dish from the oven (very carefully as it will be very hot).
13. Sprinkle some flour on the bottom and then lower in the dough.
14. Dust the top with some more flour.
15. Replace the lid (don't forget it has been in the oven!) and bake for 30 minutes.
16. If you don't have a casserole dish just place the dough on a floured baking tray and bake for 40 minutes.
17. Remove the bread from the casserole dish and return it to the oven to cook for a further 5 minutes.
18. The bread should sound hollow when tapped on the underside.
Leave to cool slightly and enjoy!