Irish Soda Bread

I have mentioned before that the search for cake recipes or rather baking recipes got me introduced to the blogosphere.While,that phase still continues I have realized that I am always following a pattern.Let me tell you how-I started baking cakes in MW first-I kept on looking for MW cake recipes in blogs and sometimes all I did when I checked out a new blog was to hit Cakes directly from the archive.Not that I tried them all,but after a while I started getting an idea as to which recipe I can make and which one I can’t.

After that it was Cookies.Once I hit success with it,there was no stopping me.In fact,it is something which I can bake anytime of the day or night,perhaps.I fell in love with the crunchy cookies at the first bite.Then cookie recipes were all I searched in blogs[see what I mean?]I tried out many from other blogs and I keep trying and learning.I utilized my oven to the maximum by using all the cooking options.

Then it happened,I got introduced to Yeast.I first tried out Shilpa’s Pizza recipe using whole wheat flour.It was an instant success and I felt happy that the yeast co-operated with me;-).But after that I seldom used yeast,as Pizza is not something which we have on a regular basis.Raaga evoked my interest in yeast again by her superhit recipe Coriander Buns.Both of us loved it so so much that hubby says I should be making it every weekend!! Now I feel confident[over confident,perhaps] and I want to bake bread.I searched for bread recipes all over the blogs[get the point now?]but when I go through the recipe and procedure,I can feel the air bursting out of my confidence levels.

I got my hopes revived when Mansi announced this months BBD-Quick breads.Exactly what I was looking for.I searched[;-)] what can be made and found it at my favorite baking site Joy Of Baking.I remember seeing the recipe for Irish Soda Bread in Goodhousekeeping magazine too.So all set for baking bread I donned my apron and made it.Loved to see the bread puffing up and smelling great inside the oven.Hurrah..my first bread..here it is!!

Irish Soda Bread - Recipe adapted from Joy of Baking

Ingredients

All-purpose flour – 1 ½ cups
Whole wheat flour – 1 ½ cups
Granulated white sugar – 2 tbsp(optional)
Old fashioned rolled oats – 2 tbsp(optional)
Baking soda – 1 tsp
Salt – 1 tsp
Buttermilk – 1 ½ cups

Method

Preheat oven to 190*C.

In a large mixing bowl whisk together the flours,baking soda,salt,sugar and oats(if using).

Make a well in the center and add the buttermilk.

Mix into a soft and moist dough using your hands or a wooden spoon.

Transfer to a floured surface and knead it well.

Shape it into a 7' round that is about 1' thick.

Cut across a small X using a sharp knife[on top of the bread].

Bake for 40 minutes or till the bread is well browned on top and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Slice and serve with butter or jam!!

Sending this across to Mansi for BBD#18-Quick breads,a popular food-blog event that was started by Zorra of Kochtopf.

Update - I just realized that I have not added how the bread tastes and how the texture is.Thanks Purnima for reminding me.I had expected a super soft bread-to be honest it was anything but that;-).This bread has a very hard crust but is soft inside.It slices beautifully too,relatively crumb-free.But it is nowhere like your regular bread.Tastes great warm and as toast too.Next I'm gonna try yeast breads,wish me luck!!