Month: March 2026

Cheese and Scallions Soda Bread

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Happy Saint Patrick’s day.  To celebrate I decided to make what is one of the quickest, easiest and most delicious breads you can make.

This bread has no yeast and doesn’t need to prove or be kneaded.  You can make it and have it in the oven in 5 minutes.  I’ve fancied this up with scallions (spring onions) and sharp cheddar cheese but it can still be tasty without these.

Soda bread needs to be made with butter milk (the acid causes a chemical reaction needed to make it rise).   If you don’t have this add a tablespoon of lemon juice to normal milk and leave for 10 minutes before using.

This recipe makes enough for 2 loaves (I’m getting into batch cooking as it saves time and money), and I’ll freeze one to use another time.  You halve this recipe if you prefer.

Ingredients

700 Grams Plain white flour

4-5 Scallions/Spring onions (finely chopped)

400-500ml Butter milk

100 Grams Cheddar cheese (grated)

2 Tsps Bicarbonate of soda

1 Tsp Salt

1 Tsp Thyme (optional, I had some growing in a window box and used it, but can use other herbs if you prefer)

Method

  • Preheat your oven to 220 Degrees (Celsius)
  • Line a baking sheet with grease proof paper 
  • Add all the dry ingredients into a large bowl.
  • Stir in the butter milk until you start to get a soft ball, easier to use your hands for this (it shouldn’t be dry)
  • Turn the dough onto a floured counter and devide in to two halves
  • Form each half into a ball, transfer to the lined baking sheet.  With a large knife, cut a cross into each ball (cut about one third of the depth of the dough, don’t go too deep)
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the bread sounds hollow when you tap the base

Protein Bars

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Like everyone else I’m trying to improve how I eat by eating more protein and fibre and less ultra processed foods.

I buy protein bars occasionally if I’m on the go and am always shocked at how expensive they are and how many unhealthy ingredients they actually have.

These cost a fraction of the price and are a lot healthier.  Yes there is sugar in these but it’s natural sugar in the form of honey/maple syrup and not something cooked up in a lab that none of us can pronounce.

I have made these into bars but you could also make these into protein balls and dip them in chocolate or roll then cocoa powder or crushed nuts if you prefer.

Makes 8

1 Can of Black beans (400ml), drained

80 Grams Rolled oats

3 Tbsp Peanut butter

30 Grams Cocoa powder

1 Tsp Cinnamon (optional)

2-3 Tbsp Maple syrup (I didn’t have this, so I used honey instead, add more or less depending on how sweet you like things)

Tor the topping

100 Grams Dark chocolate (melted)

Sprinkle of sea salt (optional)

Method

  • Add the beans to a food processor and whiz for 1-2 minutes until the beans have broken down.
  • Place the rest of the ingredients in the blender and whiz again for another minute.  Check if you want to adjust the taste by adding more cinnamon or maple syrup.
  • The mix should start to form a ball in the food processor.  Transfer it to a shallow dish lined with baking paper and place another sheet on top.  Gently press down on the top sheet of paper (I used a cup to roll across the mix and smooth it until the mix was 2-3cm deep.
  • Cover a place in a fridge to set for at least 1 hour
  • When the bars come out of the fridge, melt your chocolate in a bowl in the microwave (give blasts of 30-40 seconds at a time to make sure it doesn’t burn).  Spread evenly across the bar mix and sprinkle with salt or nuts. 
  • Allow the chocolate to set before cutting into bars.  Keep in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days.