Weekly Food Challenge

So, I was a bit sad that I had missed out on last week's challenge which was bread. But as I was googling for suitable oat-based recipes for this week's challenge, I hit upon the perfect solution: this Irish Soda Bread recipe which uses oats.

This was my first ever attempt at Soda Bread and I think I could have handled/shaped it a bit more than I did (I was being cautious as the recipe suggested) and I also didn't get the cross in the top quite right (note to self: use sharper knife next time). 

I also realised that I had bought a tub of 300ml of buttermilk and the recipe requires 500ml. At the point I realised this I had already measured out and mixed all the other ingredients and was literally about to pour the buttermilk in... so I also added 200ml of milk to make up the difference. I was worried that this might make it go horribly wrong, but it didn't.

Somehow it all worked and was edible and very tasty. A lot of other recipes I looked at did not include oats, but I think the oats added good flavour and texture. 

I will definitely be making soda bread again in the future - it is so quick and easy to do. I have made regular bread in the past with all the kneading and proving, but I just don't have the time to do it on a regular basis. 

 I also found this a good read, if you are interested in soda breads.