Soda Bread

I love good home cooking its full of flavour and using simple recipes means that you can create memorable dishes with the simplest of ingredients.  One of the habits you do have to get out of though is that there is no need to nip to the supermarket or shop to get  items that you have run out of.  Half the battle is finding a compromise or using what you actually have to hand and a touch of experimentation, or finding a recipe that will suit your purposes;. that's half the battle finding recipes that work for you. When you need a bit of bread in a hurry why not try this recipe which is quick and simple to get you out of the mire and is an ideal accompaniment to a home made soup.


Ingredients:

1lb 6 oz wholemeal flour
10oz strong white flour
2oz oatmeal
2 teaspoons salt
2 taspoons bicarbonate of soda
4 teaspoons cream of tartar
2 teaspoons sugar
1 1/2 pints milk and water mixed, or all semi-skimmed or skimmed milk

Method


Pre-heat the oven to 180degrees C/350degrees F/Gas Mark 4

Sift all the dry ingredients into a large bowl and add enough liquid to make a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface, shape into a large round and score into 4 with a sharp knife.  Place on a greased baking sheet  and bake for 20 to 30 minutes.  It is done if it sounds hollow when tapped.



Variation (according to the recipe) but which I have not yet tried:

Add a handful of dried fruit, dried bilberries or cranberries on their own or combined with nuts, sesame or poppy seeds.The combination choice is entirely up to you.

I have made some carrot and coriander soup and some leek and potato soup (made in batches and then frozen down) for a quick tea during the week or a starter; the bread goes well with simple meals like this; just good honest simple food.  The best way to serve "simples".