Easy Basil and Parmesan Soda Bread {Soda Bread with Cheese & Herbs}
Although I'm nuts about my bread maker, there is something wonderful about soda bread. It requires no yeast, fancy gadgets or extensive preparation, and it's ready in an hour so it's perfect for making with kids. This easy recipe for soda bread includes basil & parmesan cheese which gives a great flavour. You could substitute for any hard cheese and herbs of your choice. Thyme works very well.
Bicarbonate of soda is the rising agent of soda bread, but too much can give a chemically flavour so I prefer to use self-raising flour and a smaller quantity of bicarbonate of soda to avoid that. This savoury basil & parmesan soda bread is perfect for dunking into with homemade soup. It's best eaten fresh on the day it's made as soon as it's cooled as it doesn't last for long.
Basil and Parmesan Soda Bread
- Prep time: 10-15 minutes
- Baking time: around 45 minutes
- Serves: 6-8 as a side for soup
Ingredients:
- 450ml milk
- Juice 1 lemon (or 2 tbsp bottled lemon juice)
- 500g self-raising flour
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 1 tsp table salt
- 75g finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh basil (or 1 tsp dried basil)
Method:
- Pre-heat the oven to 200 C / 180 fan / gas mark 6. Line a baking sheet with baking paper and sprinkle liberally with flour.
- Mix the milk and lemon juice together and put to one side while you prep the other ingredients. It will sour and thicken slightly.
- In a large bowl, mix together the flour & bicarbonate of soda and salt until well combined. Add the salt, cheese & basil and mix well again.
- Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and pour in the soured milk. Mix together using a blunt knife until just combined. If it's too wet, add a little more flour but not so much it becomes dry.
- Form into a round flat-ish shape and place on the lined baking sheet. Give it a good dusting of flour and cut a deep cross shape a third of the way through the dough.
- Bake for around 45 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. It should make a hollow sound when tapped. Allow to cool before slicing.
