We have a winner!

Yes Dear Reader, it is true.  We have a winner and we have Gordon Ramsay to thank for it.  Remember my very first post on St. Patrick's Day when I posted a recipe for wheaten bread?  Well since then, as promised, behind  the blogging scene, I have made loaf after loaf of this elusive peasant bread.  But today, after many attempts, some close and some not even, my husband declared my mission complete.  As you may recall, my darling was born and raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland and this makes him the resident expert at our house.  There are many versions of this bread with long lists of ingredients such as currants, raisins, and caraway seeds.  I was seduced by the addition of exotic honey called for by some.  Some were baked in loaf pans.  Some were cooked on the griddle in the shape of scones.  But in then end simplicity proved to be the victor.  Gordon's recipe has six ingredients and takes about 5 minutes to mix, knead and put in the oven.  I think this bread would be fabulous with a nice beef stew, homemade soup or ohhh....baked beans!  (I think I might have a new mission!)  This bread bakes to a beautiful crust with a dense, moist centre.  It has some weight behind it.  It makes a nice lunch with some cheddar cheese and a cup of tea. Thank you Gordon!

Soda Bread
Adapted from Gordon Ramsay's Home Cooking

2 cups all purpose flour plus extra for dusting
1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
2 cups buttermilk

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Line baking sheet with parchment paper and dust with flour.  Set aside.

Sift the flours, baking soda, salt, and sugar in large bowl.  Make a well in centre and add all but two tablespoons of the buttermilk.  Mix with fork taking care not to overwork the dough, but ensure all of the dry ingredients have been incorporated.  If necessary, add the reserved buttermilk.  

Dust work surface with flour and lightly knead the dough for 30 seconds.  Don't overwork the dough.  Form dough into round shaped loaf and place on prepared baking sheet.  Press down on dough to flatten slightly.  With a serrated knife, score an "X" deeply into the top of the loaf.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.  Allow to cool on wire rack for a few moments before slicing to enjoy warm.

I have been planning a party for the last few weeks too.  It is two weeks from now and I think I have it under control....the invitations have been sent and the menu is settled.  The plan for this evening is to delve into my box of tricks....I love that box of clipped recipes.  So much so, that one day it spilt and fell all down the basement stairs.  I am embarrassed to tell you that I actually had a wee cry over it.  I was heartbroken over what a jumbled mess it was!  But much to my surprise, there was a silver lining....in picking up all those clippings I had the chance to pour over them and rediscover recipes that I had long forgotten about.  I have been adding to this box for 20 years so it was like lost treasure!  The party is going to be a casual affair....a bbq in the backyard with about 18 of us in attendance.  Tonight I am going to look out the recipes and start writing the shopping list.  I find it very helpful to have a file folder with the recipes, the shopping list, the guest list and any other details for the shindig all in one place.  It keeps me organized and on track and best of all, scratches the OCD itch that I have.  More to come about the party later!