* Exported from MasterCook *
                          Bread, Thyme Herbed Soda
Recipe By     :Clodagh McKenna
Serving Size  : 10    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Bread                           Bread-Bakers Mailing List
                 Ethnic                          Low Fat
                 Posted
   Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   3 1/4           cups  whole-wheat flour
   3 2/3           cups  all-purpose flour
   1 1/2      teaspoons  baking soda
   1              Pinch  sea salt
   1         tablespoon  finely chopped fresh thyme
   2 1/2           cups  buttermilk -- (can  use regular milk if you 
prefer), plus
   3        tablespoons  buttermilk -- for brushing the loaf
Irish
Heat the oven to 425F. Flour a baking sheet and set it aside.
Sift the flours, followed by the baking soda, into a large mixing 
bowl. Add a pinch of salt and the thyme. Mix together with clean hands.
Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and slowly pour 2 1/2 
cups buttermilk into the well. Use your free hand to mix the flour 
into the buttermilk -- try to spread your fingers far apart. Make 
sure there are no dry patches and that the dough is completely wet.
Flour your hands and shape the dough into a round. Place on the 
floured baking sheet. Flour a large knife and cut the shape of a 
cross into the top of the dough, two-thirds of the way through, and 
then stab every quarter with the knife. Using a pastry brush, brush 
the bread with the remaining buttermilk.
Bake in the oven for about 25 minutes, then turn the bread over and 
bake for another 5 minutes. To test whether the loaf is cooked, tap 
the bottom with your knuckles -- it should sound hollow.
Cool on a wire rack before serving. The soda bread will keep for 3 to 
4 days in an airtight container.
Makes 1 loaf
NOTE: McKenna adds fresh thyme to her bread. The herb, she says, 
"adds a light floral aroma, but it's a delicate flavor. You can also 
substitute rosemary, 1 teaspoon ground fennel seeds or 1/3 cup raisins.
Source:
   "Clodagh's Irish Kitchen"
S(Internet Address):
   http://www.mercurynews.com/eat-drink-play/ci_29589596/build-better-irish-soda-bread-st-patricks-day
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Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 327 Calories; 2g Fat (4.8% 
calories from fat); 12g Protein; 67g Carbohydrate; 6g Dietary Fiber; 
2mg Cholesterol; 273mg Sodium.  Exchanges: 4 Grain(Starch); 1/2 
Non-Fat Milk; 0 Fat.
NOTES : 2016 - 0326