St Patrick´s Day Soda Bread

IRISH SODA BREAD

Ingredients

250gr plain white flour

250gr plain wholemeal flour

100g porridge oats

1 tsp Bicarbonate of soda

1 tsp salt

25gr butter, cut in pieces

500ml buttermilk

Method

Step 1   :             Preheat oven to 200C/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.

Step 2:                Put the loaf on the baking sheet and score a deep cross in the top.  (Traditionally, this lets the fairies out, but is also helps the bread to cook through).  Bake for 30-35 minutes until the bottom of the loaf sounds hollow when trapped.  If it isn´t ready after this time, turn it upside down on the baking sheet and bake for a few minutes more.

Step 3:                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.   

Tipp:  If you have a LotusGrill, LotusGrill Hood and a LotusGrill Pizza Stone or Teppanyaki Plate, then be adventurous and bake your Irish Soda Bread on your LotusGrill for approximately 40 minutes.  Once cooked serve it hot with butter – Yummies:)