Irish Soda Bread

My love of bread is very well documented, and I am always on the lookout for new types of bread to buy or make. There is something so therapeutic about kneading dough, the feeling of squashing it onto the bench beneath your fingers, the satisfying sound of the air seeping out of the risen dough as you knock it back. The only thing I don't like about kneading dough, is having to clean flour from the worksurface afterwards, thankfully with this recipe, that stage is omitted.

Soda bread has the same crumb, aspect and texture as any other bread, the way that it differs is that instead of using yeast as a raising agent, it uses sodium bicarbonate, more commonly known as baking powder, hence the name, soda bread. This gives the bread a slightly different flavour, and means that you don't need to rise the bread in cycles and knock it back, and that you can have a loaf on the table in under 45 minutes, this is a massive boon if you live in the middle of the country, and are unable to simply pop out to the bakery.

Start by making your buttermilk, you can buy buttermilk in the supermarket, but being able to make a simple imitation means that you can always be prepared to make this bread whenever you fancy. Measure 4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar into a measuring jug, and then top up to 400 ml with milk, stir until the milk curdles, and then takes on a vaguely yellow tinge. If it looks thoroughly unappetising, then you've got it right.

Next weigh 500 g of multigrain flour, and place it in a bowl along with 1tsp of baking powder and a large pinch of salt. Working quickly pour over the buttermilk mixture and stir with a fork to combine. Turn the mixture out onto a floured baking tray, and knead it together on the tray, working it into a ball, flatten the ball slightly and then use a sharp knife to cut a large cross into the loaf, cutting almost through, bake at 200 degrees for about 30 minutes, or until the bottom sounds hollow when tapped.

ingredients

500 g multigrain flour
1 tsp baking powder
large pinch salt
400 ml milk
4 tsp apple cider vinegar