Irish Oat Soda Bread

I know that St. Patrick's Day has come and gone but, for some reason, I was just really really REALLY craving for a slice of freshly baked Irish Soda bread and some hot soup. The whole day yesterday I couldn't stop thinking about it. To add to my craving's anguish, I watched countless videos on Irish Soda bread and read far too many recipe blogs on it. This definitely did not help to subdue my cravings. In fact, I might have even had a dream about eating this bread.

Unfortunately, in The Netherlands, finding baking soda is not easy. For some reason it is just not sold in the main shopping centers. But my cravings were strong and my resolve to find baking soda became even stronger. So I woke up this morning with the intention to look high and low all over my town to find baking soda.

By some luck, I found this "glorious" powder in a small Turkish store not too far from my house. I was so happy to find it, I almost hugged the shop stewardess in joy. haha! I couldn't wait to get home and start baking. Lunch was going to be a nice hot vegetable soup with a slice... or two, of fresh warm Irish Soda Bread... mmmh!!

On my way home I stopped by the store to get some of the baking supplies I needed, then I took a short walk around my neighborhood to enjoy the beautiful warm spring weather and catch a bit of sun. By the time I got home it was way past noon and I was feeling really hungry and ready to start baking.

I had long decided I wanted a non-traditional Oatmeal Soda Bread with raisins and orange zest. I knew I wanted to use orange zest and raisins because they give the bread a wonderfully light and interesting flavor. The bread also has a subtle sweetness that allows it to be versatile to be used with tea, soup or just for the simple pleasure of eating fresh bread with butter and jam.

This recipe is a combination of inspirations mostly gathered from Laura Vitale's rendition of Irish Soda Bread  as well as Elise Bauer's Oatmeal Soda Bread on Simply Recipes.

Yields 9-10 slices
What you will need:

• 1 cup Rolled Oats 
• 1.5 cup Whole Wheat Flour
• 1 tsp Baking Soda
• 1/2 tspn Salt
• 2 tbsp Unsalted Butter
• 1/2 cup Raisins
• 1 Egg
• 2 tbsp Honey (or Sugar)
• 1 tbsp Orange Zest
• 3/4 cup buttermilk*

*If you do not have buttermilk you can make it by mixing 1 cup of milk at room temperature with 1 tbsp of lemon. Leave it for at least 5 minutes. Your buttermilk is ready to use ;)

What to do:

1. Preheat the oven at 230°C/450°F and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
2. Grind your rolled oats finely using a food processor or blender.
3. Mix the the ground oats, whole wheat flour, baking soda and salt in a bowl.
4. Using your hands or a mixer, mix the butter with the dry ingredients.
5. In a separate bowl, mix the buttermilk, egg, honey and orange zest.
6. Pour the buttermilk mixture into the dry ingredients and mix together. You may need to add a bit more flour if the dough is too sticky. (NOTE: Soda bread is supposed to have somewhat a sticky consistency so do not add too much flour).
7. Fold the raisins into the mixture.
8. On a floured surface very lightly knead the dough together into a round ball.
9. Cut an inch deep cross on the bread
10. Place the on the baking tray and bake at 230°C/450°F for 15 minutes.
11. Reduce the heat to 205°C/400°F and bake for a further 25-30 minutes or until the bread sounds hollow when you tap it.
12. Let it cool on a rack and then dig in.

MMmmhh! Do you smell that yummy goodness! This bread has an amazing aroma and it tastes so good on its own. Or with some butter. Or jam. It is also perfect with soup.(That's how I had it). 

Fresh bread is the best! AND the whole process can be done in an approximately an hour.

I absolutely loved the orange zest addition. My Irish Soda Bread cravings were definitely satisfied :D!

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do. Leave some comments below and let me know what you think.

What have you found yourself craving for lately?

Xx

Rati