Irish White Soda Quick Bread

Brown and white soda breads are still widely made in Ireland and initially the bread was cooked in an iron bastible or pot oven beside the open fire. This oven baked quick bread is very fast to make and is best eaten fresh.

Ingredients

3 ½ cups plain flour (550g)

2 teaspoon salt
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
450 ml buttermilk

Method

Preheat oven to 230ºC. Mix together the dry ingredients in a large bowl and make a well in the centre. Add the buttermilk and working from the centre mix with your hands making dough. Turn mixture out onto a floured board and knead until combined. Form a large round ball and place on a baking sheet or a lightly floured baking tray. Cut a deep cross and bake for 15 min. Reduce oven heat to 200 ºC and bake for approx. 20 minutes or until the bread is cooked and sounds hollow when tapped at the base.

Note: This white bread is excellent for breakfast or lunch. Add herbs of your choice if using the bread with soup.