soda bread (no yeast)
Inspired by, Curtis Stone
Serves: 6 to 8
Prep Time: 20 mins.
Cook Time: 13 mins.
Skill Level: Easy
Cooking Method: oven, larger cast iron pan
ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups plain flour
- 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup grated Gruyere or other tasty cheese
- 6 tablespoons (¾ stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons cold buttermilk
- Parmesan cheese, for grating
- Accompaniments: your favorite jam or Vegemite and/or butter
instructions:
Step 1) Preheat the oven to 425°F.
Step 2) In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt to blend. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut the Gruyere and butter into the flour mixture until the butter resembles small pea-size pieces. Form a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour the buttermilk into the well. Stir just until the mixture is moistened, but still lumpy. Form the dough into a rough ball and place it in a large cast-iron skillet.
Step 3) Push the dough into the bottom of the pan so it's about 1 ½ inches high all over and cover the pan with foil. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the damper is a deep bronze color all over and a skewer comes out clean when inserted into the center. Grate the Parmesan cheese over the top of the hot damper and serve warm with jam or Vegemite and/or butter.
grandpa’s thoughts:
This is a simple way to make bread to complement a dish at dinner or even a breakfast. It's so tasty and simple.
Grandpa Tip: when it comes time to place the dough in the cast-iron pan, moist your hands with water so you can work with the dough. It's very very sticky.