Soda Bread is a popular Irish dough made from wholemeal flour. Rather than traditional yeast, bicarbonate of soda is used as a raising agent. This dish uses low-cost ingredients and is simple and easy to prepare, resulting in a practical dish. Soda bread is versatile and can be topped with various foods to meet nutritional and dietary requirements.
Serves: 10
Dietary: suitable for vegetarians
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 40 minutes
Contains: Gluten (wholemeal flour), Milk (cream cheese), Soya (if using soya milk)
May contain: Eggs (medium fat cream cheese)
INGREDIENTS
1¾ cups (250 g) Wholemeal Flour
1½ Tbsp chives, finely chopped
1 lemon, juice
½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
4/5 cup (200 ml) whole milk
1 tsp (15 g) cream cheese, medium fat, for spreading per slice (optional)
METHOD
- Wash hands and preheat oven to 220oC/200°C Fan/425oF/ Gas Mark 7
- Mix together flour, bicarbonate of soda and chopped chives in a mixing bowl.
- Add the milk and lemon juice into a jug and add a little at a time to the dry ingredients.
- Mix with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a sticky dough.
- Flour a worktop and pour the dough onto it; knead the dough for 5 mins.
- Shape it into a bowl shape and place it on a floured baking tray.
- Bake in the oven for 40 mins.
- After 40 mins, remove the bread from the oven and place on a colling rack to cool.
- When cool, cut into 50 g slices.
- Toast the bread in a toaster until lightly browned, spread on the cream cheese and serve.
This recipe has been donated by Lauren Hughes, Nutrition Student
NUTRITION INFORMATION
Per serving: 50 g per serving
Total calories: 122 kcal
Fat: 2.9 g
Saturated Fat: 1.6 g
Carbohydrate: 17 g
Total sugar: 1.8 g
Fibre: 2.5 g
Protein: 5.1 g
Salt: 0.26 g
NUTRITION FACTS
- This Soda bread recipe is made with wholemeal flour to increase the fibre and nutrient content.
- It is low in fat and saturated fat and has no added sugar.
- It is a good source of protein, fibre and B vitamins (riboflavin, Niacin, B6)
- Soda bread contains a high amount of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are the body’s main energy source.
- Children need lots of carbohydrates to fuel their bodies for the high amount of physical activity that they do, and carbohydrates help provide energy for healthy growth and development in children.
- Soda bread can be combined with various toppings to meet differing nutritional requirements.
- Soda bread is also a common side dish to soups or stews and is an easy way to increase the carbohydrate content of a meal.
VARIATIONS
- To lower costs further, ingredients could be bought in bulk where appropriate, which would be cheaper.
- The dish can be modified so that more people with different dietary requirements can consume it. Plant-based milk could be substituted to accommodate vegans and lactose-free milk could be substituted to make the dish suitable for lactose-intolerant people.
- Spelt wheat flour instead of wholemeal for a different taste and texture.
- Spring onions or other herbs could be used instead of chives.
Consumer Tested by Zoe Allen, Nutrition Student from University of Bournemouth
Checked by Kathy Lewis, Consultant Registered Nutritionist, R.Nutr.,
© 2021 The Caroline Walker Trust