Easy Soda Bread

I love this easy loaf of bread, usually made when we have some home made soup. It is a speedy way to make bread. Make sure your mixture is good and sticky and your loaf will be crusty on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. If you don't have buttermilk, use the equivalent amount of milk and add a dessertspoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to acidify the milk. The acidic milk works with the baking soda to do its job.It takes about 25-30 minutes to prepare and cook this loaf, so when the bread bin is empty why not try this.

Ingredients
200g strong white flour
1-11/2 teaspoons salt
2 heaped teaspoons baking powder
50g oats
200g strong wholemeal flour
300ml-350ml milk or buttermilk,

Grease a baking tray and preheat the oven to 200C/gas mark 6.

1.Sift the white flour, salt and baking powder into a mixing bowl.
2.Stir in the oats and wholemeal flour and mix well.
3.Add the milk and stir with a wooden spoon.
4.Flour your hands and bring the mixture together into a round.
5.Place on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes or until well risen and golden brown.
6.When cooked transfer to a cooling rack and leave to cool for 10-15 minutes before eating. You can eat this bread hot or warm as it is more digestible than yeast based bread, it is also easier to slice.
This can be made with all white flour if you wish and the oats may be omitted, stick to 450g of flour though.
Add 100g of grated cheese and 1 teaspoon of mixed herbs to the dry ingredients for a savoury loaf.