Irish Bannock Food

BANNOCK

Steps:

• Measure flour, salt, and baking powder into a large bowl. Stir to mix. Pour melted butter and water over flour mixture. Stir with fork to make a ball.
• Turn dough out on a lightly floured surface, and knead gently about 10 times. Pat into a flat circle 3/4 to 1 inch thick.
• Cook in a greased frying pan over medium heat, allowing about 15 minutes for each side. Use two lifters for easy turning. May also be baked on a greased baking sheet at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes.

METIS BANNOCK

Steps:

• Mix flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
• Work in the margarine using hands until you make a nice crumble. If you have Olivina margarine in your area, I find this makes for the best bannock.
• Gradually mix in enough milk to make soft but not sticky. Knead.
• Shape into a ball, place on a greased baking sheet, then flatten into a circle about 1 inch thick.
• Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 25 minutes or until lightly browned.

SELKIRK BANNOCK

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix the yeast and caster sugar with 250ml warm water. Let it stand for 10 mins until the mixture becomes frothy. Tip in the flour and 125g of butter and mix to form a smooth, soft dough. Knead for 5 mins, then put the mixture back in the bowl. Cover with oiled cling film and allow the mix to rise, in a warm place, until doubled in size.
• Knock back the dough by kneading it lightly for 1 min, then add the sultanas and brown sugar, kneading them in well. Grease a deep 23cm round cake tin with the rest of the butter. Shape the dough into a round and place in the tin. Allow the dough to rise for 30 mins or until it has doubled in size.
• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Brush the Bannock with a little milk to glaze, then bake for 45-50 mins until risen and browned. The bread should sound hollow when removed from the tin and the base is tapped. If the bread colours too quickly, but is not quite cooked, you can cover it with foil and check after 5 mins more. Cool in the tin for 10 mins, then remove from the tin and finish cooling on a wire rack.

TRADITIONAL BANNOCKS (SCOTLAND)

Steps:

• In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour cinnamon & salt.
• In a smaller container, lightly whisk the eggs together with the sugar & stir that mixture into the flour mixture with just enough milk to give a pouring consistency, beating well until bubbles form.
• Grease & heat a griddle, then pour tablespoons of the mixture onto the gridle, tilting to spread the mixture thinly.
• As soon as the bannocks are golden brown underneath, perhaps about 3-4 minutes, flip them over & brown on the other side.
• Cool on a wire rack before serving with butter & honey.