Wheaten bread

From Cookipedia

Wheaten bread recipe - about this recipe

Wholemeal flour soda bread, known as wheaten bread in Northern Ireland, is traditionally made with wholemeal lour, bread soda, salt, and buttermilk. It is usually a savoury loaf, but can be made with raisins, nuts, eggs, etc. This is the savoury version.

Servings

Makes 1 loaf

Ingredients

• 350g wholemeal flour
• 100g strong white flour
• 300ml buttermilk
• 1 heaped teaspoons bicarbonate of soda
• 1-2 teaspoons salt to taste
• 1-2 teaspoons sugar to taste
• 50g porridge oats (optional)

Mise en place

Preheat the oven to 220° C (425° F - gas 7)

Method

1. Sift both the flours, salt, sugar, bicarbonate of soda and oats (if using) in a large bowl.
2. Add buttermilk and mix to a dough with your hands, stopping as soon as it feels pliable. Over-kneading will result in a heavy loaf.
3. Shape into a ball.
4. Place onto a greased baking tray or use Bake-O-Glide.
5. Cut a deep cross in the top of the loaf so it will create four large crusts as it rises and bakes.
6. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes.
7. Loosely cover with tin-foil if the crust looks too brown.
8. The bread is properly baked when it sounds hollow if tapped on the base.
9. Cool on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes.

Serving suggestions

Serve warm with lots of butter.

Chef's notes

Use bicarbonate of soda, not baking powder.

See here for various ways of making your own buttermilk. I think the best way is to make your own cheese!