Seedy Rosemary Soda Bread Food

ROSEMARY-PARMESAN SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a large cast-iron skillet with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, Parmesan, sugar, rosemary, kosher salt, baking powder, baking soda and red pepper flakes. Working over the bowl, grate the butter on the large holes of a box grater, letting the grated butter fall over the flour mixture. Gently toss the butter into the flour. Using a fork, stir in the buttermilk until a shaggy dough forms.
• Scrape the dough onto a work surface, gather up any crumbs and knead gently until the dough just comes together. Shape the dough into a round loaf and transfer it to the prepared skillet. Slash an X about 1/4 inch deep in the top of the bread. Brush the bread with buttermilk, then sprinkle with Parmesan and pepper.
• Bake the bread until it is golden and it sounds hollow when lightly tapped, 45 to 50 minutes. Transfer the bread to a wire rack and let cool at least 10 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature with softened butter and flaky sea salt.

ROSEMARY AND CHEDDAR SODA BREADS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly oil a baking sheet or line with parchment paper.
• Sift the flours, baking soda and salt together in a bowl. Stir in the Cheddar and chopped rosemary. Make a well in the middle. Add the buttermilk and, using a fork, mix until just combined. This will give you a soft, sticky dough, which makes a nice moist loaf. With floured hands, divide the dough into 4, scrape each one onto the prepared baking sheet and pat into a light round. Using a chef's knife, deeply score each soda bread with a cross on top (this will allow the heat to penetrate the center of the dough).
• Bake until the breads are dark golden all over and sound hollow when you tap the bottoms, about 30 minutes.

SIX SEED SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F
• In a small bowl combine all the seeds and set aside.
• Combine the flours, baking powder, salt, baking soda, and brown sugar in a large bowl. Add all but 2 tablespoons of the seeds.
• Stir the sour milk/buttermilk (recommend using smaller amount and gradually add more milk as needed) into the dry ingredients just to blend (dough will be sticky).
• Turn out dough on to a well floured board and knead about 5 times, just enough to pull it together into a loose ball. (over kneading will make the bread tough).
• Place the dough on a lightly floured baking sheet and mark it with a deep cross across the top, cutting two-thirds to the way through the loaf with a serrated knife.
• Brush with a little milk and sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons of seeds.
• Bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
• Cool on rack.

SEEDED WHOLE GRAIN SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Mix millet, quinoa, amaranth, 1 cup oats, 1 cup buttermilk, and 1/2 cup water in a small bowl. Cover and let sit 8-12 hours. (Alternatively, bring ingredients to a simmer in a small saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat and let sit until mixture is thick like porridge, about 2 hours.)
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly oil an 8"-diameter cast-iron skillet or cake pan. Whisk whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, flaxseed, salt, baking soda, and 1/4 cup sunflower seeds in a large bowl. Work in butter with your fingers until largest pieces are pea-size. Make a well in the center and add brown rice syrup, oat mixture, remaining 1 1/4 cups buttermilk, and remaining 1 Tbsp. oil. Mix with a wooden spoon until dough is smooth, homogenous, and still slightly sticky.
• Form dough into a ball and place in prepared pan. Brush with buttermilk; top with more oats and sunflower seeds. Cut a large X into the top and bake until golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of loaf registers 190°F, 55-70 minutes. Let cool in pan.
• Do ahead
• Bread can be baked 2 days ahead. Store tightly wrapped at room temperature.

ROSEMARY AND CRANBERRY SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F/gas mark 7).
• Sift the flour, bread soda and salt into a bowl. Stir the cranberries and rosemary through and make a well in the centre. Add the buttermilk and using a large spoon, mix gently and quickly until you have achieved a nice soft dough. Add a little bit more buttermilk if necessary, until the dough binds together without being sloppy.
• Knead the dough very lightly on a lightly floured surface and then shape into a round that is roughly 15cm (6in) in size. Place on a non-stick baking sheet and cut a deep cross in the top.
• Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 200°C (400°F/gas mark 6) and bake for another 20-25 minutes, until the loaf is evenly golden and crusty. To check that the bread is properly cooked, tap the base - it should sound hollow. If it doesn't, return it to the oven for another 5 minutes.
• Transfer the cooked soda bread to a wire rack and leave to cool for about 20 minutes. This bread is best eaten while it's still warm.
• To serve, place the soda bread on a breadboard and cut into slices at the table. Have a dish of butter to hand for spreading.