Basic Brown Soda Bread (commonly known as "Brown Bread")
This simple, wholesome bread can be eaten fresh with butter, jam or cheese
and is delicious served with a bowl of home-made soup. It slices better if left
to cool and "set" for at least 4 hours. This recipe makes 1 large
loaf.
- 1lb / 450g Coarse Wholemeal Flour
- 6 oz / 175g Plain White Flour
- 1 rounded teaspoon bread soda
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ¾ pint / 450ml Buttermilk (approx.)
Preheat over to 400 F / 200 C / Gas Mark 6
Mix the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Stir in enough buttermilk to make
a fairly soft dough.
Turn on to a work surface dusted with wholemeal flour and knead lightly until
smooth underneath.
Form into a circle, about 1 ½ " / 4cm thick, and put onto a baking
sheet. Mark a deep cross in the top with a floured knife, Bake for about 45
minutes, until bread is browned and sounds hollow when tapped on the base. Cool
on a wire rack, wrapped in a clean tea/dish towel to keep the crust soft.
(This recipe is taken from "The Best of Irish Breads and Baking" by
Georgina Campbell - Wolfhound Press - 1996)
White Soda bread is made in exactly the same way but using only plain flour
and a little more buttermilk.
For a variation of this bread, add ½ cup sultanas - this loaf is known
as Spotted Dick or Spotted Dog! |