From the Editors of Live Right Live Well
The original ingredients in Irish soda bread were flour, baking soda, salt and buttermilk. Newer Irish-American versions often contain butter, sugar, dried fruit and caraway seeds. Both make a hearty loaf perfect for snacks or any meal. Every slice in this recipe is more than 75 percent whole grain, so each is filled with cancer-, diabetes-, and heart disease-fighting nutrients and antioxidants. Raisins can be substituted for currants, but the tinier dried currants spread more evenly throughout the bread. (You’ll find currants in the raisin aisle.) The traditional cross on top helps the bread’s center bake through.
Makes 1 large loaf (14 wedge slices)
Ingredients3 1/4 cups white whole-wheat flour1 cup all-purpose flour1/3 cup sugar1 teaspoon baking soda2 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon salt3/4 teaspoon caraway seeds3/4 cup dried currants1 1/2 cups low-fat buttermilk1 large egg6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Directions1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Coat an 8-inch round cake pan with cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together both flours, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
3. Stir in caraway seeds and currants.
4. In a separate bowl, mix together buttermilk, egg and melted butter with a fork.
5. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the liquid mixture. Stir just until all ingredients are moistened. There will be some shaggy pieces at the bottom of the bowl.
6. Knead dough in bowl four times, picking up and incorporating shaggy pieces while kneading.
7. Form the dough into a ball, then a rounded circle about 7 inches wide.
8. Place in prepared pan. Cut a cross at least 1 1/2 inches deep into the top.
9. Bake 40 minutes or until bread is browned and toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean. If it appears to be browning too quickly, tent a sheet of foil over top for final 15 minutes of cooking.
10. Remove from pan immediately and place on wire rack to cool. Serve warm.
Nutrition information (per serving)200 calories6.5 g protein34 g carbohydrates5 g fat (3 g saturated)27 mg cholesterol325 mg sodium240 mg potassium63 mg calcium1.8 mg iron165 IU vitamin A0 mg vitamin C4 g fiber
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