Before our household all fell down with THE SICK I discovered a very easy bread recipe over at the Canadian Living website for Irish Soda Bread. The amazing thing about this recipe is (1) it doesn’t require any kneading or rising time (basically the two things that scare people about making bread) and (2) it tastes really really good. DANGEROUSLY GOOD, in fact.
The texture is different, more crumbly and biscuit-like, but that’s not a bad thing. I made the savoury cheesy version of this recipe and it turned out really well. It’d be perfect served with a hearty stew or chilli.
It’s good sliced up and toasted the next day too:
Here’s my version of the recipe:
2 cups ( 500 mL) all-purpose flour (I used an unbleached stone-ground flour we bought at Upper Canada Village)
1 cup (250 mL) multigrain flour (Robin Hood)
2 tbsp ( 25 mL) granulated sugar
1 tsp (5 mL) each baking soda and salt
1 cup (250 mL) shredded old Cheddar cheese
1 chopped green onion
pinch cayenne pepper
1 1/2 cups (375 mL) buttermilk
1/4 cup (50 mL) canola oil
In large bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, cheese, onion and cayenne pepper.
In small bowl, whisk together buttermilk and oil. Add to dry ingredients all at once; stir with fork until soft dough forms.
On lightly floured surface and with floured hands, press dough into ball; knead lightly 10 times [Note: it took me more than 10 kneads to get it to stay together. I was kneading for about 30 seconds]. Place on greased baking sheet; gently pat out dough into 6-inch (15 cm) circle.
With sharp knife, score large X on top of loaf.
Bake in centre of 375ºF (190ºC) oven for about 45 minutes or until golden and tester inserted in centre comes out clean.
If you try this recipe let me know how it turns out!
