Dark Bread with a shmear of orange marmelade — Whole Grain Irish Soda Bread: Easy. Inexpensive. Nutritious.

I know, a recipe for Whole Grain Irish Soda Bread doesn’t appear to be in my wheelhouse. But, I can explain. Two things come immediately to mind. First, I never met a holiday I didn’t like to cook for (whether I celebrate or not is beside the point) so why should Saint Patty’s Day be an exception? But, probably more importantly, ‘tis the season of the great pantry purge.

Whole Wheat Berries — Wheat Berries are easily ground into whole grain flour.

In the weeks that lead in to Passover, I begin to take stock (literally and figuratively) of all that I have. Literally, it’s what’s in the kitchen—specifically what’s in my pantry that I can use up. I typically don’t buy ANYTHING except fresh fruits and veggies, which forces me to use up what I have. Wheat Berries? What did I buy them for anyhow? I can’t even remember.

Step by Step making Irish Soda Bread Dough. — Simple to make: just mix and shape.

Oh, wait…wasn’t my soon to be niece just telling me that she has been using her Nutribullet to pulverize wheat berries so she can bake bread? Like, milling her own flour so it’s 100% whole wheat with all the fiber and protein, and none of the good stuff missing. Hmm, I bet my Vitamix could do that.

Before and After Baking Irish Soda Bread — From dough to bread….pop it into the oven….and voila….a crusty loaf is born.

While I pondered that one, I came across two half used bags of rye flour. I’ve been making rye bread sticks in my cooking workshops this month. In my enthusiasm for the yumminess I must have over stocked. Although I’m totally into whole grain flours like rye—who wouldn’t want all that fiber, magnesium and blood sugar control??—I need to use it up!

Gorgeous crusty loaf with a side of orange marmalade. — You don’t need a special holiday to make this delicious crusty loaf.

Idea spark for Whole Grain Irish Soda Bread

Later that day, as I stood on line at the grocery, flipping through magazines I saw a photo of a Saint Patty’s Day feast. Front and center (right next to the corned beef), there it was. A gorgeous loaf of Irish Soda Bread. Bam! Just like that, my mind was made up. What a perfect way to use what I had and turn it into something seasonal, tasty, healthy and nurturing. I just love when things fall together like that. Don’t you?

I’m calling this Whole Grain Irish Soda Bread, knowing that purists will call me out on that, but I’m OK with it. Traditional Irish Soda Bread uses baking soda rather than yeast. I’ve got that one covered!! Even though I used some healthy swaps (like plant milk combined with apple cider vinegar instead of buttermilk), the essence of the bread is still there.. It’s all good.

Irish Soda Bread plus Orange Chia Marmalade — Toasted with some chia jam..yum! I could get used to this.

Things I love about Whole Grain Irish Soda Bread:

Instant Gratification: no need to wait for the dough to rise.
Inexpensive: simple wholesome ingredients that are budget friendly
FIBER: whole grains = tons of fiber.
NOURISHING: made with whole, real food.
Tasty
Makes awesome TOAST. (add some almond butter + jam and a simple, nourishing breakfast or lunch or dinner or snack is at your fingertips!).
My house smells DIVINE during and after baking.
SUPER SIMPLE: no special baking skills required
It produces a BEAUTIFUL crust.
Homemade means I get to control the ingredients.
Making it helps me clean out my pantry.

Back to the Passover Purge. Good thing I’ve begun the process early. Not only will I need some time to use up all that’s in the pantry, but I’ll also need some time to ponder the figurative purge of those things that no longer serve me well.

📖 Recipe

Whole Grain Irish Soda Bread

Author: Debra Klein

Whole Grain Irish Soda Bread. A beautiful and delicious crusty bread that is vegan and easy to make.

4.93 from 13 votes

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 45

Total Time 50

Course Holidays

Cuisine Healthy

Servings loaf

Calories 261 kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 and line large rimmed baking sheet with unbleached parchment paper.
In a high-speed blender (Nutribullet will work too), pulverize the wheat berries until they turn into flour.
Using a wooden spoon, in a large mixing bowl, combine the wheat flour, rye flour, baking soda and salt. Add in beer, milk, honey and ACV. Stir until the dough comes together into a slightly sticky ball. If the dough seems too dry, add a splash more beer, if it seems too sticky, sprinkle in additional flour.*
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and kneed into a rough ball. Place dough on prepared baking sheet, sprinkle with a bit of flour and use a sharp knife to score a cross on the top of the dough.
Bake for 45 minutes, until the loaf has almost double in size and sounds hollow when tapped.
Cool on a wire rack and slice.
Bread is terrific toasted with jam.

Notes

* You can use 2 cups whole wheat flour in place of milling the wheat berries yourself.

* You should be able to touch the dough without clumps of it sticking to your hands….but it should also stay together in one ball without dry bits breaking off on their own.

* I either make orange marmalade or chia jam to slather on this delicious loaf.

Nutrition

Serving: 2slicesCalories: 261kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 8gFat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 777mgFiber: 7gSugar: 13g

Note

The nutrition calculations were done using online tools. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in any given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients you used. You are ultimately responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information is accurate, complete and useful.

Did you make this recipe? Please leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag me @dkhealthcoach or use hashtag #dkhealtcoach on Instagram so I can see it!!

Categories

Holidays Side Dish Vegan

Comments

4.93 from 13 votes (3 ratings without comment)

Whole Grain Irish Soda Bread

Idea spark for Whole Grain Irish Soda Bread

Things I love about Whole Grain Irish Soda Bread:

📖 Recipe