Soda Bread

[jennyjoan]

We have soda bread here in NI - ie soda farls etc.

But I haven't encountered soda bread - is that a different thing.

I know Boaty seems to have a lovely recipe. I did ask Marks - but nothing came up.

[ummmm]

Easy as anything to make.

[jennyjoan]

Oh I wonder would Boaty give me his some time

[AliceTickband]

I swear by this recipe. only recently started using it but it has never failed me.....
18oz strong plain flour, 1teasp bicarb of soda, 1 teasp baking powder, 14 fl oz buttermilk
mix all dry ingredients together than add the buttermilk a bit at a time until you get a not too sticky dough(I have never used the full amount of buttermilk yet)
a quick knead and then I make it into 4 rounds and put on a floured baking tray and cut a deep cross into each round.
bake at 200C for around about 1/2 hour or as long as it takes to get a golden brown crust and hollow when tapped underneath. the baking time is just a suggestion.

I never buy buttermilk, I always measure out the milk into a jug and add 2 tablespoons lemon juice and leave it to stand for about 5 minutes till gets thicker and a little lumpy.

for years I made soda bread without the addition of baking powder but since I have used the above recipe the bread is less dense.

just to give credit where credit is due the recipe is from Nadya Hussein's (sorry to her if I spelt that wrong) tv series.

hope that helps!

[jennyjoan]

thanks Alice

[jennyjoan]

Is that 200C at fan temperature

[AliceTickband]

no....just ordinary oven temp.

[jennyjoan]

thanks Alice

[Theland]

Years ago, when I was unemployed, I used to make bread, guided by library books.
Made soda bread, but found the most satisfying one to make was Sourdough. A great history of mule riding gold speculators. Maybe not true, but made the bread taste good.

[1ozzy]

Hi Jenny
This is Boaty's recipe.

Irish soda bread
Makes two loaves

Ingredients

550g /1¼ lb stoneground wholemeal flour
550g /1¼ lb plain while flour
2 rounded teaspoons salt
2 rounded teaspoons bicarbonate of soda
850ml /1½ pint buttermilk

Method

1. Pre heat the oven to 230°C/450°F/Gas 8.
2. Sieve together the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Make a hole in the centre and add 700ml/1¼ pint of the buttermilk.
3. Working from the centre, combine with either your hands or a wooden spoon, adding more of the buttermilk if necessary, the dough should be soft, but not sticky.
4. Turn the dough out onto a floured board and kneed lightly until it has formed a rough, round shape. Flatten slightly to about 5cm/2 in thick and place on a baking sheet.
5. Using a large floured knife, mark the dough with a deep cross and bake in the oven for 15-29 minutes, then reduce the heat to 200°C/400°F/Gas 6 for 20 - 25 minutes, or until the bread sounds hollow when tapped.

[jennyjoan]

thanks Ozzy - will take note of that as well as Alice's - great

[jennyjoan]

HAVE TAKEN NOTE AND IS NOW IN MY DESK TOP