Northern Style Irish Wheaten Bread Food

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.

TRADITIONAL IRISH WHEATEN BREAD (BROWN SODA BREAD) RECIPE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400 F (200 C or Gas Mark 6).

NORTHERN STYLE IRISH WHEATEN BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F
• Sift the flours and mix in the remaining dry ingredients.
• Add the beaten egg and buttermilk and mix until combined.
• Pour the batter into a greased tin and sprinkle with steel cut oats.
• Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 40 minutes.

PERFECTLY MOIST IRISH WHEATEN BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Prepare a shallow baking pan with cooking spray.
• Sift together the bread flour, whole wheat flour, salt, baking soda, and 2 teaspoons sugar in a bowl. Cut the margarine into the flour mixture until pieces are nearly indistinguishable. Make a well in the center of the mixture and pour in the oil and buttermilk. Stir with a spatula until dry mixture is completely moistened. Move the dough to a lightly-floured surface. Lightly knead the dough for no more than 1 minute. Place the dough into the prepared pan; pat down and around to form a round loaf. Cut a cross into the top of the loaf with your finger. Brush the top with 1 tablespoon buttermilk; sprinkle 1 teaspoon sugar over the top of the loaf.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Reduce heat to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C); rotate pan and bake another 30 minutes.
• Allow loaf to cool on a wire rack before slicing.