Easy Wholemeal Soda Bread

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups / 175 grams wholemeal flour
• 1 1/4 cups / 175 grams plain or all purpose flour
• 1 cup / 240 ml Greek or Natural thick yoghurt
• 1/2 cup / 60 grams grated parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup 60 ml milk (full-fat or semi-skimmed)
• 2 teaspoons bicarbonate of soda
• 2 tablespoons / 15 grams grated parmesan cheese (for topping)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 2000°C / 400°F

2. 2

   Mix the milk into the yoghurt in a small bowl.

3. 3

   Place all the ingredients except the extra cheese into a mixing bowl. Also keep 2 tablespoons of the yoghurt/milk mixture aside in case you don't need all the liquid.

4. 4

   Using a spatula, mix the dough until it starts to come together in a shaggy ball. Add the remainder of the yoghurt if necessary.

5. 5

   Tip the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead it lightly until it comes together. Form it into a ball and press down gently to flatten it slightly.

6. 6

   Sprinkle the remaining parmesan cheese on top and press it down gently so that it sticks to the dough.

7. 7

   Cut a cross into the top of the dough, pressing the knife down about half way through.

8. 8

   Transfer the dough to a baking tray lined with baking parchment and make a deep cross on the top of the dough. Cut about halfway through the thickness - don't cut all the way to the bottom.

9. 9

   Place the baking tray into a preheated oven (200C / 400F) for 35 - 40 minutes until the bread is well-risen. The bread will be cooked when a wooden skewer inserted into the thickest part comes out cleanly, or when the bread sounds hollow when tapped underneath.

10. 10

    Remove from the oven, cover with a cloth and allow to cool.