posted by Plano_Gal 12-11-101 12:57 PM
Soda Bannock (Irish Soda Bread)
This is a fruit bread that does not require yeast
8 ounces of flour (2 cups)
1 level teaspoon of salt
1 level teaspoon of cream of Tartar
1 level teaspoon of baking soda
Buttermilk (about 1/8 liter)
1/2 ounce butter (1/8 of a stick)
1/2 ounce sugar (1/8 cup)
1 oz dried fruit (1/4 cup, traditionally raisins)
Sieve the flour, salt, cream of Tartar and baking soda. Rub in the butter with your fingertips. Add the sugar and raisins, mix well. Mix in a small amount of buttermilk to form a wet dough - the amount is about 1/8 of a liter box of buttermilk. You should be able to pick up and handle the dough, but it should also be pretty damp and stretch easily.
Dust a countertop with flour and knead the dough a little. Then form the dough into an oval shape a couple of inches high, roll it in flour and place it in a floured baking pan. Flatten it to about 1 - 1/2 inches height with the backs of your hands in the pan.
Bake for half an hour at 350 F. Check that the center is cooked with a toothpick before you take it out.
Delicious warm or cold.