| Gone are the days when it was cooked over an open | | | | baked each morning over the open fire. You can just |
| smokey turf (peat) fire. Irish soda bread is now baked | | | | imagine it - the smell of the smokey peat fire and the |
| in an oven and the recipe is fairly straightforward and | | | | fresh bread baking. So if you want to get in the mood |
| easy to follow. Variations of recipes exist of course - | | | | for your trip to Ireland try this simple soda bread recipe. |
| many are passed down from one generation to the | | | | Irish Soda Bread Recipe |
| next. | | | | 500g whole wheat flour or a mixture of whole wheat |
| The main ingredients are flour, baking soda (sodium | | | | flour and plain white flour |
| bicarbonate), buttermilk and salt - there's no yeast. | | | | 1 teaspoon of baking soda |
| Now the science bit: once everything is mixed together | | | | 1 teaspoon of salt |
| the lactic acid in the buttermilk reacts with the baking | | | | Approximately 450ml (3/4 pints) of buttermilk |
| soda. As a result, bubbles of gas (carbon dioxide) are | | | | · Place the flour, salt and baking soda into a |
| produced, this causes the bread to rise. | | | | bowel and mix together. |
| The flour used can be plain white flour or whole wheat | | | | · Add the buttermilk. Work lightly with hands to |
| flour, or indeed a mixture of both. In many parts of | | | | make a soft dough. |
| Ireland (especially in Northern Ireland) if only whole | | | | · Knead the dough lightly; remember you can |
| wheat flour is used, it's referred to as wheaten bread. | | | | add in more flour if it's too sticky. |
| Oh, and don't forget the cross! Just before you put the | | | | · Make into a circular shape and place on a |
| bread in the oven you have to cut a cross in the top. | | | | floured tin. Flatten with palms of hands. |
| This is 'to let the devil out' and it's said to give the | | | | · Using a sharp knife mark a cross on the top |
| blessing of God. | | | | of the dough |
| Irish soda bread doesn't have any preservatives so it | | | | · Bake for around 40 minutes or so in a |
| probably won't last more than a couple of days. | | | | preheated oven at 200°C / 400°F / Gas 6. |
| Traditionally in an Irish home a loaf of soda bread was | | | | · Cut into slices and serve while still warm. |