Super simple Irish Soda Bread

On a boat, nothing could be easier. No kneading. No waiting for it to rise. Just mix it up, pour it into a loaf pan and pop it in the oven.

It’s so easy that Lynne, who is a remarkable baker, from cookies to muffins and cakes, has let me become the family soda bread maker. Of course, she’s just humouring me, but she can do that because the recipe is so simple. I live on it when sailing solo.

Below is the basic recipe, but there are so many options that you can make the recipe uniquely your own. We usually add oatmeal, bran and sunflower seeds, but the world is your oyster.

Brown Irish Soda Bread

• 2 cups buttermilk, or make your own: 2 cups milk and 4 tablespoons of vinegar. Mix and let sit for 20 minutes.

Combine dry ingredients.

• 2 cups whole wheat flour and 1 cup white. Change proportions at your pleasure.
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
• Add 2-3 (or more) of these options:
  • 4 tbsp oatmeal
  • 4 tbsp bran
  • 3 tbsp ground flax seeds
  • 3 tbsp ground hemp seeds
  • 3 tbsp sunflower seeds
  • 3 tbsp chia seeds

For a sweeter loaf, add a 1/2 cup of raisins, currents or other dried fruit. As well, you might add 2 tbsp of honey or sugar.

Combine milk with dry ingredients. Don’t over mix.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line loaf pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Add mix to loaf pan and bake for 45-50 minutes.

Enjoy.