Until this last year I had not been an enthusiastic bread maker. But then with lockdown, needs must, and so kneading it was. Also during the warm summer weather the over-heating conservatory was an ideal spot for dough proving.
I was surprised at how well my wholemeal, spelt and kamut loaves turned out.
But with the cooler days, proving was taking longer and the bread never seemed to be ready when I wanted it. Enthusiasm waned. And then I remembered soda bread. Or rather I happened to see an old episode of Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall’s River Cottage wherein Ruby Wax, celebrity comedian but non-cook, had been charged to make soda bread. It looked so easy. And so quick. And even through the screen you knew the bread was delicious.
Next came some research. One stumbling block was obtaining a seeming key ingredient – butter milk. It was not to be found in Much Wenlock. Then I discovered natural live yogurt would do instead. Or even milk (dairy or non-dairy) plus a tablespoon of lemon juice or cider vinegar to activate the soda.
Some of the recipes seemed to have too much bicarb. I did not want to be able to taste it. And so here is the recipe I’ve come up with. It takes a few minutes to throw together, and a little over 30 minutes in the oven.
Oven (fan-assisted) 200 C
400 gms of flour: I use 260 gm wholemeal spelt flour and 140 gm of strong white bread flour;
1 very slightly rounded teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda;
1 level teaspoon of sea salt;
300 ml liquid: natural live yogurt:
OR milk (dairy or plant-based) with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice/cider vinegar; or a mixture of yogurt and milk and a good squeeze of lemon juice. I’ve also used slightly ‘gone off’ milk.
Mix it all together with a spatula, then shape into a round (not too much fiddling);
Place on floured baking sheet.
THEN THE MOST IMPORTANT BIT:
Slice a deep cross across the top of the loaf.
This may serve 3 purposes:
A) Let out the fairies;
B) Give protection from the devil:
C) Help the loaf to cook evenly.
Cook in a hot oven and check at around 30 mins. The bread is done when a knock on the bottom produces a good hollow sound.
Soda bread is best eaten fresh, but it will keep a couple of days in a cake tin, and it does make the most excellent toast. Delicious with homemade Seville marmalade or wild honey.
For a savoury version: 125 gms of grated strong cheese can be added to this recipe plus some herbs of choice.
Tish Farrell 
Oh, yes please. That looks very tasty. 🙂
Thanks for the recipe, Tish. I really must give this a go. And your photo is making me hungry!
My pleasure, Debbie. Making me hungry too. I’ve not had breakfast.
this looks amazing and thanks for the recipe
happy to deliver same 🙂
The bread does look yummy. I will try it, maybe over the weekend or Fri evening.
And drawing the cross to chase away the debil has made me laugh
Glad to raise a smile, Mak 🙂
Tish, did you use eggs or sugar? I have decided to do this now
So I tweaked it a little. Added a bit of sugar( I am a sweet tooth) and egg. And it has come out well, I think. I will send you a pic.
Well I can’t wait to see. Would not have thought of an egg addition 🙂
I will keep an eye for the next recipe.
Meanwhile, I want to try this a second time
Keep up the good work, Mak.
Looks delicious – I’ve made soda scones but not bread. Very tempting
I’ve been meaning to try scones. Thanks for the reminder.
Yum! Looks amazing. Love soda bread! 😋
I do love homemade bread…pass the butter please.
Definitely with butter, Beverly 🙂
Bread has always been counted among one of my best friends. Especially warm, fresh from the oven and slathered with too much butter.
When my sweetheart is feeling frisky she just whispers, “Ciabatta” or “Sour Dough”
What a lovely sweet heart you have Thom. I love sour dough and ciabatta too, though only if someone else bakes them.
Nourishment! What a treasure you are, Mrs. F! 🙂 🙂
Thank you, lovely you.
😍💞
Oh, yummy, and a square with a recipe too. We’re not eating bread at the moment, but I do love fresh bread and this looks delicious 😋
On the whole, I think bread should probably be a treat. That’s why I’m so pleased with this recipe. One loaf a week only!
Yes please; especially with marmalade. Few things are nicer than fresh-from-the-oven homemade soda bread and yours looks scrummy.
Wish I could send you a slice, Su 🙂
Thanks Tish 😀 You’ve inSpired me to bake — and it’s cold enough here today to consider some soup to go with it. Yay for summer southerlies 😉😂
Cold both ends of the planet then. More soup needed 🙂
🙂 Though I can usually find a soup for any weather. Maybe a spicy tomato today.
I’m a soup person too. Spicy tomato for me too please 🙂
Delicious photos – hurrah for bread making!
It is a good cheer-er upper.
Indeed! Such a sense of achievement – and it makes the house smell wonderful, too! 🙂
I made soda bread recently as well and I have a Honey Oat quick bread loaf cooling as I type. 🙂 I do love bread and I love orange marmalade as well so double yum!
janet
That sounds good, Janet – quick honey oat bread.
Just getting ready to try it, as it’s a new recipe. Here’s the link in case you’re interested:
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/252305/honey-oat-quick-bread/
Thanks for this, Janet. It looks v. interesting with the oats addition. I’ve also been pondering about beer bread.
I haven’t tried any beer bread yet. The honey oat bread turned out to be nice, more like a quick bread (which it is) in texture than regular bread, but my husband liked it a lot. I thought it could have used a bit more flavor, so I’ll read the suggestions following the recipe and perhaps try some of them. Quite easy to make, though.
I choose A) Let out the fairy’s.
Good man!
You pre-empted my asking for the recipe. A great post. Maybe I’ll cook again and try the recipe, especially if it keeps.
Just made a new loaf this morning. It smells so good!
Oh gosh I love bread, it’s been the thing to lift my spirits some days lol, sadly… But oh so good!! I should learn how to make it but I think the pandemic is turning me into an even lazier baker (although precovid I was a non-existent baker lol)
Give it a go. It’s worth it for the smell of the bread cooking 🙂