James Martin Soda Bread Food

ONION SODA BREAD WITH WHIPPED ENGLISH MUSTARD BUTTER

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Tip the flours into a bowl with the bicarb, onion flakes, nigella seeds and 1½ tsp salt. Stir together and make a well in the middle. Tip in the butter and yogurt, and bring together into a soft, sticky dough using a spatula. If it seems dry, add a splash of milk.
• Tip the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently form into a round. Lift onto a lightly floured baking sheet, cut a deep cross in the top using a sharp knife and sprinkle over the oats. Bake for 1 hr, or until golden and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped underneath. Leave to cool on a wire rack.
• While the bread cools, beat the butter, mustard and a pinch of sea salt together until light and airy. Spoon into a small pot. Slice the bread and serve with the mustard butter for spreading over.

IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200C/gas 6/fan 180C and dust a baking sheet with flour. Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl, then rub in the butter. Pour in the buttermilk and mix it in quickly with a table knife, then bring the dough together very lightly with your fingertips (handle it very, very gently). Now shape it into a flat, round loaf measuring 20cm/8in in diameter.
• Put the loaf on the baking sheet and score a deep cross in the top. (Traditionally, this lets the fairies out, but it also helps the bread to cook through.) Bake for 30-35 minutes until the bottom of the loaf sounds hollow when tapped. If it isn't ready after this time, turn it upside down on the baking sheet and bake for a few minutes more.
• Transfer to a wire rack, cover with a clean tea towel (this keeps the crust nice and soft) and leave to cool. To serve, break into quarters, then break or cut each quarter in half to make 8 wedges or slices - or simply slice across. Eat very fresh.