Irish soda bread

Soda farls have been at the centre of every Irish kitchen for generations. Irish soda bread is up there with rich beef stew and bacon and cabbage as staple, traditional Irish recipes.

This take on Irish soda bread is tasty, nutritious and easy-to-bake on a budget. You probably have most of the ingredients in your cupboard!

Serve toasted with butter and mashed banana, or with a soft poached egg, or with a hearty bowl of soup.

Ingredients

170g/6oz self-raising wholemeal flour

170g/6oz plain flour

½ tsp salt

½ tsp bicarbonate of soda

290ml/½ pint buttermilk

1 tablespoon CBD paste (or 2 tablespoons of your favourite flavourless tincture)

1 tablespoon dried thyme

1 tablespoon dried rosemary

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C

2. Tip both flours, salt, rosemary, thyme and bicarbonate of soda into a large mixing bowl and stir.
3. Make a well in the centre and pour in the buttermilk and CBD paste, mixing quickly with a large fork to form a soft dough. (Depending upon the absorbency of the flour, you may need to add a little milk if the dough seems too stiff, but it should not be too wet or sticky.)
4. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead briefly.
5. Form into a round and flatten the dough slightly before placing on a lightly floured baking sheet.
6. Cut a cross on the top and bake for about 30 minutes or until the loaf sounds hollow when tapped. Cool on a wire rack.