JP food with passion – A good old fashioned soda bread

John Paul Kennedy is a self-taught cook from Tallaght whose passion for family cooking came from his two grandmothers. 

Who doesn’t love good old fashioned home-made Irish soda bread with real Irish butter?

This is an incredibly easy recipe that can be prepared in just minutes and only takes 35 minutes to bake.

It’s a no yeast bread, therefore you do not have to spend hours waiting for it to rise before you pop it in the oven!

A little subtle extra to this loaf is the addition of freshly chopped thyme which adds an extra layer of flavour and deliciousness!

 Perfect to serve with soups, casseroles and stews or robust and hearty home made sandwiches with all of your favourite fillings.

This bread will last for three to fopur days in an airtight container or tin and the loaf will go along way. 

Ingredients:

(Makes one large loaf)

450g plain flour

450g coarse wholemeal flour

1.5 teaspoons bicarb

1 tablespoon freshly chopped thyme

600ml Butter milk plus extra for brushing Sprinkle of sea salt

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 220 degrees and dust a baking tray with flour and set aside
2. Add the flours, bicarb, salt and thyme into a large mixing bowl
3. Make a well in the centre and slowly add the buttermilk and with clean hands (cooks best tool) bring the mixture together until it forms a dough, making sure that there are no dry patches
4. Dust you hands with flour and shape the dough into a ball
5. Place on the floured baking tray and with a large knife cut a cross making sure not to go right through your loaf. I once read this is an old Irish tradition to get rid of the fairies
6. Brush your loaf with buttermilk using a pastry brush and bake in the oven for 25 minutes, then turn the loaf upside down and bake for another 10 minutes
7. To test if your bread is baked tap the bottom of the loaf, you are listening for a hollow sound
8. Allow to cool before serving