Bacon, Cheese and Cider Soda Bread.

Bacon, Cheese and Cider Soda Bread.                       

Prep time

• 10 - 15 mins.

Cook Time

• 40 mins.

Servings

• Plenty

Ingredients

• 400g Self raising Flour
• Pinch of salt
• 1 level teaspoon of bicarb soda
• A handfull of Bacon Lardons, fried crisp and drained of excess oil.
• a good sized hanfull of not to big cheese lumps (I used Lancashire)
• A large glug of cider
• 1 290ml tub of buttermilk.

Directions

My first recipe, excuse the vague measurements . Anyone who has made soda bread will work round these. If you have never made it, please it try it. Trust me, your taste buds will love you for ever!
Set Oven to 200 degrees  or 180 degrees  if you have a fan oven.

Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Make a well in the center. Pour in the wet ingredients. Use a folding spatula to quickly mix. The cutting action of a folding spatula, is good for soda bread. Aim for no more than one min  mixing. No kneading, it should NOT look like smooth a loaf of bread. Put in two mounds (rough loaves)on tray, greaseproof paper underneath the loaves.

Bake for 40 minutes, the bottom should give a hollow sound when knocked. It should look golden. Put on a rack to cool. 30 minutes.

This is very nice fresh with butter. It is also  beautiful sliced and fried, next day with breakfast. Toast it for the next few days, topped with cheese or butter.