Irish soda bread

For centuries people around Ireland have been baking the finest Irish soda bread in the world. For many Irish people the thought of soda bread conjures up images of their grandmother baking in a floury apron for the evening tea. The quick healthy recipe which includes flour, bread soda, salt, egg and buttermilk or for variation you can add raisins or caraway seeds. In contrast to American bread, Irish soda bread is not sweet and rather dry. It doesn't contain an abundance of salt as soda bread is usually loaded with rich Irish butter or cheese. Soda bread is so easy to bake and the end result will prove delicious. Many stockists of Irish products around the world carry Irish bread products such as soda bread, brown bread (a variation of soda bread) and scones.

 
Soda Bread Recipe
 
Ingredients
 
100% Wholemeal Flour ­ 3 cups
Plain White Flour ­ 1/2 cup
Bread Soda ­ 1 level teaspoon
Baking Powder ­ 1 level teaspoon
Pinch of Salt
1 Egg
Pint of Buttermilk
Greased Baking Tin
 
To make traditional Irish brown soda bread place all the dry ingredients in
a large mixing bowl and mix thoroughly with your fingers allowing the air to
pass through the mixture.
 
Mix for a couple of minutes and make a well in the middle of the mixture.
Break egg into bowl, add buttermilk and whisk. Then pour mixture into well
of dry ingredients, holding back a small amount. Mix until all combines,
(the mixture should be quite wet).
 
Pour mixture or dough into a greased baking tin and if you like sprinkle
with some sesame seeds or poppy seeds, which brings a lovely appearance to
the loaf when cooked. Place in a pre-heated oven, 150/160 for 55-60 minutes.
 
Check if loaf is cooked by inserting a skewer into the loaf, if the skewer
is completely dry when removed the bread is cooked. Remove loaf from tin,
(should sound hollow when tapped), and allow to cool.
 
Top Tips:
A little drop of Guinness can be added to the buttermilk/egg mixture, which
darkens the bread and introduces a yeast flavour, a small bit of brown sugar
can also be added. Try sultanas and walnuts, try pumpkin seeds, sunflower
seeds or any seeds. Try some chopped apricots or your own favourite dried
fruits. The combinations are endless...but most importantly, enjoy and have
fun baking.