Irish Soda Breads Scones Food

IRISH AND SCOTTISH GAELIC SODA BREAD SCONES

Steps:

• Pre-heat the oven to 220C/450F.
• Mix all the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Make a well in the centre and add the smaller quantity of buttermilk, 400ml or 14 fluid ozs.
• Mix by hand, adding more buttermilk if necessary, until you have a soft but not sticky dough.
• Turn out on to a floured surface and knead lightly - just enough to shape the dough into a round. Flatten it to about 2.5cm/1in thick and cut out 8-10 scones, using a 7.5cm/3in plain cutter.
• Put on to a floured baking tray and bake for about 20 minutes, until well risen and golden. Leave to cool slightly on a wire rack.
• Serve with soup, stews or traditional breakfasts.

IRISH SODA BREAD SCONES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°; butter a 10-inch diameter circle in the center of a baking sheet.
• In a big bowl, stir the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, caraway seeds, and salt.
• Cut the butter into ½ inch cubes and distribute them over the flour mixture.
• Using a pastry blender, cut in the butter until it resembles coarse crumbs.
• In a small bowl, stir the buttermilk and egg together; add the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture and stir to combine.
• The dough will be sticky; with lightly floured hands, knead in the nuts and raisins until evenly distributed.
• With lightly floured hands, pat the dough into a 9-inch diameter circle in the center of the prepared baking sheet.
• Brush the egg yolk mixture over the top and sides of the dough.
• With a serrated knife, cut into 8 wedges.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a pick comes out clean.

IRISH SODA SCONES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, granulated sugar, and salt.
• Cut butter into small pieces; work into flour mixture with your fingers or a pastry cutter until dough resembles coarse meal. Add currants, caraway seeds, and buttermilk; stir until just combined.
• Scoop 1/3 cup-size mounds of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced 3 inches apart. Bake until bottoms are golden, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool completely on sheet.
• Meanwhile, combine confectioners' sugar, milk, and orange zest. Drizzle over scones; serve.

TRADITIONAL IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450 degrees. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, salt and baking soda. Make a well in the center and pour in the milk. Using your hand, mix in the flour from the sides of the bowl. The dough should be soft but not wet and sticky.
• Turn the dough out onto a well-floured work surface. Wash and dry your hands. Knead the dough lightly for a few seconds, then pat the dough into a round about 1 1/2 inches thick. Place it on a buttered baking sheet and using a sharp knife, cut a deep cross in the center of the dough reaching out all the way to the sides.
• Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 400 degrees, and continue to bake until the top is golden brown and the bottom of the bread sounds hollow when tapped, about 30 minutes longer. Serve warm.

IRISH SODA BREADS (SCONES)

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 450F. Sift flour, salt, and baking powder. Add orange zest, seeds, currants, sugar, and sour cream.
• 2. Add butter in small pieces, cut into flour until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add buttermilk, mixing lightly with your fingers.Knead briefly until mixture just comes together. It's important not to overmix. Dough will be a little sticky.
• 3. Pull off clumps to make 12 mini breads. I sometimes sprinkle these with a pinch of sanding sugar to give them a sparkle.
• 4. Divide breads onto 2 baking sheets about 3-4" apart. Bake until puffed and golden, 12-14 minutes at 450F.

TRADITIONAL IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees F. Brush a baking sheet with melted butter or spray with non-stick spray.
• Combine dry ingredients in a deep bowl. Gradually stir in 1 cup buttermilk, beating constantly, until dough is firm enough to be gathered into a ball. If dough crumbles, add up to 1/2 cup more buttermilk, 1 tbsp at a time, until it holds together.
• Place on a lightly floured board and pat into an 8-inch flattened round loaf.
• Place loaf on baking sheet and slash a 1/2-inch deep "X" into the top of the dough with a small, sharp knife.
• Bake at 425 degrees F for about 45 minutes, or until the top is golden.
• Serve hot.