Authentic Irish Soda Bread Yeast Free Food

AUTHENTIC IRISH SODA BREAD-YEAST FREE

Steps:

• Grease and flour a 8" (20cm) cake tin (high walls are better but not necessary.).
• Preheat oven to 190°C/375°F or 180C/350F if using a fan assisted oven.
• Sieve self-rising flour with bicarbonate of soda, baking powder and salt into a large bowl. (It is important to sieve the bicarbonate of soda with the self-rising flour, if it is added at a later stage it will give the bread a greenish tinge!).
• Add the wheat flour to the bowl (no need to sieve).
• In a jug mix the yogurt, honey and olive oil then pour onto the flour mixtures in the bowl.
• Stir with a wooden spoon until well mixed and a soft sticky dough is formed.
• Flour a surface for kneading and knead lightly (20 turns max). Form into a round shape, this does not have to fit the tin as it will spread when cooking.
• Transfer to the floured cake tin and with a knife cut a cross across the top and place in the oven for 45 minutes. (The cutting of the cross helps to portion the bread for slicing in quarters.).
• Eat when cool with just real butter or your favourite topping and a cup of sweet tea. It is lovely toasted too!

IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200C/gas 6/fan 180C and dust a baking sheet with flour. Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl, then rub in the butter. Pour in the buttermilk and mix it in quickly with a table knife, then bring the dough together very lightly with your fingertips (handle it very, very gently). Now shape it into a flat, round loaf measuring 20cm/8in in diameter.
• Put the loaf on the baking sheet and score a deep cross in the top. (Traditionally, this lets the fairies out, but it also helps the bread to cook through.) Bake for 30-35 minutes until the bottom of the loaf sounds hollow when tapped. If it isn't ready after this time, turn it upside down on the baking sheet and bake for a few minutes more.
• Transfer to a wire rack, cover with a clean tea towel (this keeps the crust nice and soft) and leave to cool. To serve, break into quarters, then break or cut each quarter in half to make 8 wedges or slices - or simply slice across. Eat very fresh.

REAL TRADITIONAL IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Heat a heavy skillet, griddle, or cast-iron frying pan over medium-low heat.
• Stir the flour and salt together in a bowl, and sift in the baking soda. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture, and pour in the buttermilk. Stir the mixture quickly together into a dough, and turn out onto a floured work surface. Knead the dough a few times, just until it comes together. Gently form the dough into a flattened, round cake about 1/2 inch thick, and cut the round into quarters with a floured knife.
• Sprinkle a little bit of flour into the bottom of the hot skillet, and cook the wedges 6 to 8 minutes per side, until golden brown.

TRADITIONAL IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees F. Brush a baking sheet with melted butter or spray with non-stick spray.
• Combine dry ingredients in a deep bowl. Gradually stir in 1 cup buttermilk, beating constantly, until dough is firm enough to be gathered into a ball. If dough crumbles, add up to 1/2 cup more buttermilk, 1 tbsp at a time, until it holds together.
• Place on a lightly floured board and pat into an 8-inch flattened round loaf.
• Place loaf on baking sheet and slash a 1/2-inch deep "X" into the top of the dough with a small, sharp knife.
• Bake at 425 degrees F for about 45 minutes, or until the top is golden.
• Serve hot.