All you knead is bread

Nothing hits the spot quite like a warm loaf of bread. If you’ve always wanted to try your hands at baking bread but never managed to get around to it, now’s your chance. It is easier than you think. 

Try this easy bread recipe you can make during quarantine, even if you are out of yeast.

Irish Soda Bread

Ingredients

• 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 450g
• 350 ml buttermilk 12 oz
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven at 200C/400F
2. To a large bowl, add all-purpose flour, salt and baking soda together then make a well in the middle.
3. Add buttermilk to the dry ingredients and mix together using a fork, table knife or your hand until it comes together.
4. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured worktop and gently knead so it comes together that you can shape it. Never mind if it looks shaggy as long as you can work with it. Form a round shape and transfer the dough to a lined baking tray.
5. Using a serrated knife, cut a deep cross on the dough and place in the oven. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes until the bread is golden on the outer part.
6. Take it out of the oven and leave to cool before serving. You can also eat while it is still warm

Test your baking skills using these recommended bread baking e-books:

• Dans La Cuisine Avec Stefano Faita

• L'ADN de l'alimentation québécoise

• The Redpath Canadian Bake Book

• Zingerman's® Bakehouse

• The Baking Bible

Visit our online resources which include recipes and instructional videos on how to make bread from all over the world: 

A to Z World Food and Access Video on Demand 

If you’re looking for great baking recipes, you can also try these websites for great news & information for amateur bakers:

• Fresh Loaf
• Ricardo Cuisine

Blog post contributed by Wendy from our Hazeldean branch.