Irish Soda Bread

It's St. Patrick's Day and Irish soda bread can be found in any supermarket's bakery aisle across America. Traditional Irish soda bread is savory which consists four basic ingredients, flour, salt, buttermilk and baking soda. All ingredients are well combined, gently shaped like a round dough, then cut a cross on top with a sharp knife to bless the bread and baked in a cast iron pot called "Bastible pot(dutch oven)" with the lid on over open fire. Soda bread rises due to the reaction of acidity of buttermilk and baking soda. It is best served warm and slathered in salted Irish butter with soups and stews. Irish soda bread is staple food till today in Ireland.

Our palate is so used to American version of soda bread which is richer and sweeter than the traditional Irish bread with the addition of sugar, raisins/currants, butter, egg and sometimes caraway seed called spotted dog.

Lately I have been experimenting some vegan bakes and so far it has turned out delicious. It's easy to create vegan buttermilk (if recipe requires) using any non dairy milk stirring with lemon juice or apple cider vinegar. Unlike traditional fluffy and coarse grain of soda bread I kneaded the dough just about 1 minute for a smooth crust sandwich type bread.

Ingredients~
1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 cup unbleached bread flour 
1 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt 
1/4 cup flavorless oil or nondairy butter
2/3 cup coconut milk 
1 tsp. lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup raw or coconut sugar
1/2 tsp raw sugar for sprinkling

Method~
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 6" round cake tin or cast iron pan or just a sheet pan with parchment paper. In a small bowl stir coconut milk and apple cider vinegar/ lemon juice and set aside. Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt(omit salt if using sated buttery spread) in a large bowl. Add the buttery spread and using finger tips blend together until mixture becomes a coarse meal. Add in raisins and mix well.

Make a well in the center and pour in coconut milk. Combine with a wooden spoon until mixture comes together. Dump on a lightly floured surface and knead gently for 1 minute for a smooth texture and shape a round loaf. Place the loaf on the parchment lined  pan and slightly cut an X into the top of loaf with a serrated knife. Sprinkle sugar on top. Bake in the center rack of the oven for 25-27 minutes or until light brown.
 
Cool on a baking rack. Serve warm or at room temperature or Lightly toasted and spread with jam or butter. This mildly sweet bread is quite satisfying with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. Happy St. Patrick's Day!