By Mairead
Foley
Gone are the days when it was cooked over an open smokey turf
(peat) fire. Irish soda bread is now baked in an oven and the
recipe is fairly straightforward and easy to follow. Variations of
recipes exist of course - many are passed down from one generation
to the next.
The main ingredients are flour, baking soda (sodium
bicarbonate), buttermilk and salt - there's no yeast. Now the
science bit: once everything is mixed together the lactic acid in
the buttermilk reacts with the baking soda. As a result, bubbles of
gas (carbon dioxide) are produced, this causes the bread to
rise.
The flour used can be plain white flour or whole wheat flour, or
indeed a mixture of both. In many parts of Ireland (especially in
Northern Ireland) if only whole wheat flour is used, it's referred
to as wheaten bread.
Oh, and don't forget the cross! Just before you put the bread in
the oven you have to cut a cross in the top. This is 'to let the
devil out' and it's said to give the blessing of God.
Irish soda bread doesn't have any preservatives so it probably
won't last more than a couple of days. Traditionally in an Irish
home a loaf of soda bread was baked each morning over the open
fire. You can just imagine it - the smell of the smokey peat fire
and the fresh bread baking. So if you want to get in the mood for
your trip to Ireland try this simple soda bread recipe.
Irish Soda Bread Recipe
500g whole wheat flour or a mixture of whole wheat flour and
plain white flour
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1 teaspoon of salt
Approximately 450ml (3/4 pints) of buttermilk
· Place the flour, salt and baking soda into a bowel and mix
together.
· Add the buttermilk. Work lightly with hands to make a soft
dough.
· Knead the dough lightly; remember you can add in more flour if
it's too sticky.
· Make into a circular shape and place on a floured tin. Flatten
with palms of hands.
· Using a sharp knife mark a cross on the top of the dough
· Bake for around 40 minutes or so in a preheated oven at 200°C /
400°F / Gas 6.
· Cut into slices and serve while still warm.
The article
Irish Soda Bread was Submitted by Mairead
Foley through Articles.GetACoder.com
network. Here's the additional information: Check out GoIreland.com for more
articles on
Irish food and drink.
