richard As well as being very tasty, Soda Bread is also great when you need a loaf in a hurry or can’t be arsed with all that kneading and proving. Unfortunately on such occasions you’re unlikely to have soured cream (a major ingredient) and a desperate trip to your local urban Costcutter is guaranteed to prove fruitless. Luckily for you this recipe uses a mixture of Cream of Tartar and milk as a substitute. What do you mean you haven’t got Cream of Tartar in your cupboard?
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Skill level: Easy
Ingredients
- strong white flour – 1/2 lb (225g)
- strong wholemeal flour – 1/2 lb (225g)
- milk – 1/2 pint (250ml)
- bicarbonate of soda – 1tsp
- cream of tartar – 2tsp
- salt – tsp
Pre-heat the oven to 220C (gas mark 7)
In a large bowl mix together the flours, bicarbonate of soda and salt.
Stir the cream of tartar into the milk and pour into the flour mixture.
Knead together to form a dough (add a little water if necessary).
Form the dough into a ball and place on a well oiled baking tray. Pat down a little to form a hemisphere and partially cut into quarters (to half the depth of the loaf).
Place at the top of the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
Leave to cool.
Verdict: Tasty. If you happen to have soured cream then use 1/4 pint (125ml) mixed with an equal quantity of water, instead of the milk and cream of tartar.
Drink: K4e
Entertainment: I was in possession of a super-special number which would give me 10 free downloads from iTunes, so I went nostalgic and replaced a long lost copy of ‘Even Serpents Shine’ by The Only Ones. Good stuff.
Footnote: I have subsequently used soured cream and found it produced a more stodgy and cakey loaf. Think I prefer it without.
sounds lovely just like my mother use to make, but buttermilk was used instead of milk & the cream of tartar, or soured cream