This is a quick, easy bread that uses bicarbonate of soda and kefir to make it rise. There is no raising time and absolutely minimal kneading, we really don’t want to work the gluten.

It is a great one to make while camping, and could be made in a hooded BBQ or camp oven.

Soda Bread

SODA BREAD WITH KEFIR

Ingredients

  • 3 3/4 cups plain flour
  • Extra flour for dusting
  • 1 1/2 tsp bi-carb soda
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 cups kefir
  • 1/4 cup rolled oats
  • 3/4 cup sunflower and pumpkin zeeds

Soda bread ready to bake

Method

  1. Preheat combi steam oven to 200°C at 25% steam
  2. Line tray with silicone baking mat or baking paper
  3. Whisk flour, carb soda, seeds, oats and salt in a bowl. Add kefir, and quickly stir until it’s all combined
  4. Sprinkle extra flour onto bench, dump out dough and sprinkle with more flour.
  5. Gently knead a few times, bringing it together into a ball. To keep the raising action active work really quickly.
  6. Transfer to the tray, then flatten to 2.5cm thick.
  7. Cut a cross on top 1cm deep, using serrated knife.
  8. Paint with more kefir
  9. Bake 10 minutes at 200°C 25% steam.
  10. Turn oven down to 180°C fan, 25% steam. Bake for a further 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 88°C and the top has browned.
  11. Transfer to a wire rack to cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing.