Weight Watchers 5 Pointplus Whole Wheat Irish Soda Bread Recipes

WEIGHT WATCHER'S 5 POINTPLUS WHOLE WHEAT IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 325ºF.
• Whisk the buttermilk and oil in a medium bowl; set aside.
• Whisk 1 cup all-purpose flour, the whole-wheat flour, raisins, caraway seeds, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Stir in the buttermilk mixture with a wooden spoon until thoroughly moistened.
• Dust a clean, dry work surface with the remaining 1 teaspoon flour. Turn the dough out onto the work surface and knead for 30 seconds, just until it coheres. Shape into a round loaf about 6 inches in diameter and 1 inch high. Use a sharp knife or a new razor blade to cut a "X" about 1/2-inch deep in the top of the loaf.
• Lightly spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray, place the loaf on it, and bake until lightly browned and crusty, about 45 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing.

WHOLE WHEAT IRISH SODA BREAD WITH BULGUR

Steps:

• Place the bulgur in a bowl and pour on 1 cup boiling water, or enough to cover the bulgur by about 1/2 inch. Cover the bowl and allow the bulgur to sit for 30 minutes, until all the water has been absorbed and the grains are tender.
• Meanwhile preheat the oven to 450 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment.
• Place the flour in a large, wide bowl and sift in the baking soda and salt. Mix in with your hands or with a wide spatula. Make a well in the middle of the flour and pour in the buttermilk. Add the bulgur to the well, then mix in the flour from the sides of the bowl to the center using a wide rubber spatula, a wide wooden spoon or your hands, turning the bowl and sweeping the flour from the sides into the buttermilk. Mix until the bulgur and buttermilk have been incorporated into the flour, then scrape out onto a lightly floured work surface. The dough should be soft and a bit sticky. Flour your hands so it won't stick to them.
• Gently knead the dough, only enough to shape it into a ball, then with floured hands gently pat it down to a 2-inch high round, about 9 inches in diameter. Place it on the parchment-lined baking sheet and cut a 1/2-inch deep cross across the top.
• Place in the oven and bake 20 minutes at 450 degrees. Turn down the heat to 375 degrees and bake for another 15 to 20 minutes, until the loaf responds with a hollow sound when tapped on the bottom. Remove from the oven, wrap loosely in a cloth or kitchen towel, and cool on a rack.

WHOLE WHEAT IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Mix milk and lemon.
• Combine dry ingredients.
• Add milk and lemon mixture (buttermilk may be used instead).
• On floured bread board (I use whole wheat) knead dough for no more than a minute.
• Shape dough into a circle with a height of about two inches.
• Place on lightly oiled baking sheet.
• With (sharp) floured knife, cut an x nearly halfway through the dough.
• Bake about 40 minutes in 400F degrees degree oven.
• Dough should sound hollow when tapped with knuckles or handle of spoon.
• Place loaf on wire rack and let rest at least an hour before slicing.

100% WHOLE WHEAT IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• In a big mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, soda, and salt.
• Cut in butter until it reaches a coarse meal consistency. (I started with two knives, then finished the process with my fingers.).
• Add raisins.
• Combine liquids separately. Add liquids to dry ingredients.
• Mix until a soft dough forms. At some point it will become hard to stir it, and it will be better to use your hands. Kneading the dough is the best way to combine all the ingredients completely -- knead it gently until it is smooth (about 3 minutes). You can knead it right there in the mixing bowl.
• Shape the dough into two balls, and place them on a greased cookie sheet. Flatten each ball slightly and cut an X about 1/4" deep in the top of each loaf.
• Bake at 375 for 35 minutes.