Soda Bread may be enjoyed anytime not only on St.Patrick's Day, well at least I think so. I stumbled across this Paul Hollywood recipe and my only modification was that I added two tablespoons of honey. A touch of sweetness to a lovely foolproof recipe.
Soda Bread - Paul Hollywood
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250g/9oz plain wholemeal flour
250g/9oz plain white flour
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
1teaspoon salt
420ml/15 fl. oz buttermilk
2 tablespoons honey, optional
extra flour for dusting
Preheat oven to 200ºC / 400ºF /Gas 6
In a large bowl, mix together the two types of flour, bicarbonate of soda, and salt.
Add the buttermilk and, honey if adding any, mix until a sticky dough forms.
Lightly flour a work surface and tip the dough onto it.
Gently roll and fold the dough a couple of times to bring the mixture together. DO NOT KNEAD
Shape the dough into a ball. Flatten the ball gently with your hand. Score the dough with a deep cross dividing it into quarters. Dust the bread with flour.
Place onto a baking tray lined with baking parchment and bake for 30 minutes at 200ºC/400ºF/Gas 6. The loaf should be golden brown. Leave to cool on a wire rack. This is best eaten on the day of baking.