Soda bread recipe

soda bread doesnt last long in our flat...

I've slowly been going off commercial bread, even seemingly good quality stuff seems stodgy and unappetizing these days.  I briefly entertained the idea of trying to get a sourdough starter on the go and then 3 seconds later came to my senses, thats a committment I'm not quite ready to make.  Soda bread ticks all the boxes, its easy peasy, yeast free therefore quick to make and bake and is very tasty - the teenager now insists I make it every other day.  The best bit is that you can vary it to your own taste, here is my personal take on it:

200g plain flour
200g brown flour
100g porridge oats (you could just use 500g of flour if you like)
2tsp bicarb of soda
1tsp salt
1 tbsp runny honey (optional but nice!)
350 ml buttermilk ( live yoghurt with a splash of lemon juice is an alternative)

Mix the dry ingredients together in a bowl or pulse in a processor.  Make a well in the centre and mix in the honey  then the buttermilk. Bring the dough together (it shouldnt be too sticky) then turn out onto a floured surface.  Knead it but not for long, its really just about getting it a little smoother and into a ball shape.   Put it onto a baking tray, flatten it down a bit then score deeply with a cross shape.  Bake at gas 6 for around 40 mins.  The bread is ready when the bottom of the bread sounds hollow and empty when tapped with your hand.  Eat when its nice and warm.  I sometimes knock this up as soon as I get home from work so that its ready along with whatever is for dinner.