Homemade Healthy Snacks Series - #8 Wholewheat Irish Soda Bread
Irish soda bread is so quick and easy to make, as it doesn't contain yeast or involve any kind of careful technique. It really is just a case of mixing these very few ingredients together and spooning the mixture into a loaf tin to bake. So simple, so tasty.
For most people in Ireland it's the number 1 bread eaten, and usually homemade too as even the worst cook can't go wrong with this recipe! It's eaten for breakfast with the fry, for lunch with something like soup, for supper with jam, or simply as a tasty snack that can be taken any time you're feeling peckish. Also there's a good trick to know - if you've run out of buttermilk, you just put a little lemon juice or vinegar into regular milk to acidify it, and you can use it as a substitute!
I have adapted the traditional recipe slightly to suit my particular taste, but you will find many similar variations of this recipe, hence why I didn't claim this to be an 'original' recipe.
What you will need: (Makes 1 loaf)
200g fine wholewheat flour
100g strong wholemeal bread flour
100g coarse wholewheat flour
1 tsp bread soda
1 tsp salt
3/4 pint buttermilk
Method:
In a large bowl, sift together all flours, bread soda and salt
Make a well in the middle and pour in the buttermilk. Mix thoroughly (I just use my hands for this... dunk them in, squidge it in my hands... kinda satisfying!)
Grease a loaf tin and spoon in the bread mixture.
Bake in a preheated oven at 190 degrees Celcius for 40-45 minutes until golden brown and makes a hollow sound when you tap the base. Leave to cool before slicing. Enjoy toasted or un-toasted... It's the perfect accompaniment to homemade soup or scrambled eggs!
If you enjoyed this recipe, please follow me and you can look forward to more yummy and healthy recipes!
Many thanks.
For extra tips on health, weight loss & information about natural foods you can also support me as Natural Health Mama at: https://www.facebook.com/naturalhealthmamma and https://naturalhealthmamablog.wordpress.com/
Logo kindly created for me by @papa-pepper
Mh... looks wonderfull and delicious @woman-onthe-wing !
Thanks! It really is my favourite kind of bread :-)
Looks great and tasty!
Oh my, yes it is!!!
I used to sometimes make this before I had to go gluten free, and it really was delicious. Though the kinds of bread I make now (with nut flours, yoghurt and baking soda) use the same principles of soda and an acid for rising.
I'll have to try out baking with some nut flours... do you find the taste a lot different? Experimenting with flavours is so much fun! My Dad is coeliac and bakes his own bread... he REALLY missed wheat bread for a long time until he concocted a tasty gluten-free recipe of his own!
My recipes are mostly for people who can't tolerate high starch either, hence the nut flours. I posted a cashew bread recipe a week or so ago and will do more over time. Yes, they do taste different, and the texture is more like cake.
I see, well I will keep my eyes open for your recipes and maybe learn a thing or two about using those types of flours. I have just looked at your banana cashew bread recipe, it looks and sounds great, and a very simple & healthy recipe... I will have to try it out!
I will take it :) very good recipe, I will definately try it @woman-onthe-wing
Thank you, I hope you enjoy it!
That's definitely a unique soda bread recipe! I think my husband might call it blasphemous especially since it's not his great-grandmother's recipe LOL
I am curious about the taste though. There's no mention of anything to sweeten it, but it sounds like it would be delicious toasted with melted butter!
Ah, recipes passed from family members are like gold :-) I know some people like to put honey or a little brown sugar to sweeten (and give a nice crust), but personally I don't feel any sweetness is necessary - perhaps because I don't often eat sugar??? I used to add brown sugar when I originally made the bread with about 75% strong wholemeal bread flour, as otherwise the taste was a bit too savory, but with the wholewheat flour I find the taste is beautiful. And DEFINITELY delicious toasted and buttered, yes!