Frame>By>Frame Baking (Irish Soda Bread)

After a few years of recipe hunting, I have come to the conclusion that I am way more likely to make something if there is a picture of the final result.

I just picked up the cook book titled, Frame>By>Frame Baking, by the Staff of Love Food. The contents include recipes for cake & traybakes, pastries, small cakes & cookies, and breads, and just as the title suggests, the entire book gives frame by frame instruction on many different baking recipes. I really like how the book displays how easy it is to bake and I feel this would be a great resource to anyone learning to bake or interested in baking some wickedly delicious looking desserts. Warning: These pictures will make your mouth water.

I tried the recipe for Irish Soda Bread and it turned out great and looking mostly like the picture that was included, minding the fact the oven provided to us by the University is not the best. Now while I am much more of a yeast bread person, I thought this was perfect for making later in the evening when you don’t have time to let your bread rise.

Irish Soda Bread
Makes 1 loaf
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cook Time: 25-30 min.
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:
Butter, melted, for greasing
3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 ¾ cups buttermilk

>1. Preheat oven to 425°F/220°C. Lightly grease a baking sheet.
>2. Sift the dry ingredients into a mixing bowl. Make a well in the center, pour in most of the buttermilk, and mix well, using your hands. The dough should be very soft but not too wet. If necessary, add the remaining buttermilk.
>3. Turn out the dough onto a floured surface and Knead until smooth. Shape into an 8-inch/20-cm round.
>4. Place the bread on the prepared baking sheet, cut a cross in the top, and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 min.

Alteration possibility: Try adding raisins, or if your feeling lucky add Craisins to the mix!
Best served in slices with butter and a sweet or savory topping.