As Quick As It Comes, As Quick As It Goes

To cap off the theme of bread week today, I decided to make soda bread, a variety of ‘quick bread’ that does not require yeast or the time-consuming rising process. For this Parma ham, mozzarella and cheddar soda bread, I also served it with my homemade tomato and basil sauce. (This sauce is one of a few things that my mum never criticised whenever I make it lol!😂) Indulging, rich, and almost tastes just like a giant pizza, this is one that would be enjoyed by any cheese-lovers out there!😋

The recipe was adapted from the plain soda bread recipe from ‘How To Make Bread’ by Emmanuel Hadjiandreou.

Parma Ham, Mozzarella and Cheddar Soda Bread with Tomato and Basil Sauce

Quantity: 1 Bread

Ingredients:

For the bread:

250g strong white/bread flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

125g mozzarella, diced

50g Parma ham, torn

60g cheddar, shaved

260g whole milk/buttermilk

For the sauce:

4 tomatoes, diced

2 tbsp ketchup

2 tsp dried/fresh chopped basil

A pinch of salt

1 tbsp olive oil

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.
2. In a large mixing bowl, mix the flour, salt and bicarbonate of soda together.
3. Add the mozzarella, ham and cheddar to the flour mixture, saving a small portion of the ham and cheddar for decoration on top.
4. Pour the milk into the mixture and mix until it just comes together.
5. Line a baking tray with baking parchment. Transfer the dough over to the baking tray, shape the dough into a ball and flatten slightly.
6. Slash a deep cross over the bread using a sharp knife. Place the remaining Parma ham and cheddar cheese over the cross.
7. Bake for 50-60 mins, or until golden and baked through completely. To check, tap the bottom of the bread, it should sound hollow. If you notice the top of the bread is browning too quickly during baking, place a piece of foil over it.
8. While waiting for the bread to finish baking, preparing the sauce by cooking the tomatoes in a pan. Add the ketchup and basil, and season with salt accordingly. Put the sauce through a blender to create the smooth sauce. Finish with olive oil.
9. Once the bread is ready, set on a wire rack to cool briefly. Serve the bread with the sauce while they are still warm.