I never cease to be amazed every time I take a loaf of bread from the oven or griddle that I have created. For me, it takes me back to childhood, patiently lingering around in Granny’s kitchen waiting on the soda farls cooking on the cast iron griddle. Then watching hungrily as she cut the hot soda farls in half and generously smoothed the yellow butter on top before I reached for it. Almost immediately the butter melted and ran down my fingers as I had my first biteful.

To me that was the taste of home and gave me a wonderful sense of love, security and belonging and those wonderful childhood memories have never left me. I’m reflecting on all the wonderful food memories I have and am delighted to get a chance to share them with you all. Every month I will share the recipes I turn to time and time again, so you too can reap the benefits and let food bring not only nourishment but a little love, taste, fun and celebration to your life. The magic that happens in the oven or the griddle after mixing a few simple ingredients in a bowl is one of the simple joys of life and the first time you make a loaf I can guarantee a childlike sense of joy and pride. I have shared the recipe I use for Irish soda bread.

This traditional, rustic bread dating back to the 1800’s has a dense texture and slight sourness, which is leavened with baking soda. It can be baked into a rustic shaped loaf baked in the oven or flattened out into a circle before cutting into quarters (or farls) to be baked on a non-stick pan or traditional cast iron griddle if you have one. In today’s busy world, there’s nothing more mindful and rewarding than to take 10 mins out of your day to stir these simple ingredients in a bowl to make a loaf of bread.

Every sense is evoked as you take part in a ritual practiced since humankind began. From a bit of simple measuring, feeling the soft flour and cold buttermilk on your fingers as you mix the dough to seeing your loaf and tasting it, it’s really something everyone needs to try once I believe. It’s also a wonderful thing to pass on to your children and a lovely way to spend time with them. Enjoy your bread. I offer regular bread baking classes at my cookery school and would be delighted to welcome you for a morning or afternoon of baking in my warm kitchen, baking new memories.