Brown Soda Bread

This quick bread comes together easily since it doesn't require yeast. Soda bread, of course, evokes the tastes of Ireland, so consider this in honor of the upcoming St. Patrick's Day.

Spoon out 2 cups whole wheat flour and 1 cup all-purpose flour into measuring cups, leveling with a knife. Combine the flours in a large bowl with 2 tablespoons organic brown sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon caraway seeds and 1/2 tsp. salt.

Cut in 2 tablespoons of chilled vegan butter, cut into small pieces (such as Earth Balance). You can use a pastry blender or the back of a fork, cutting the 'butter' in until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Make vegan buttermilk by pouring 1 tablespoon plus 1/2 tsp. lemon juice into a measuring cup, and then filling with plain soy milk (such as Silk) to equal 1 and 1/4 cups. Let stand 5 minutes to clabber (sour) the mixture.

Make a well in your dry ingredients, and pour in the 'buttermilk', stirring just until moist. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead 5 or 6 times, then transfer to a baking sheet lightly coated with cooking spray.

Shape the bread into an 8-inch round loaf. Across the top, make 2 diagonal slits, about 1/4 inch deep, with a sharp knife, to form an X.

Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 35 minutes (a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean), and cool completely on a wire rack. Cut into 12 wedges, each of which is 150 calories.

Erin go Bragh!

Cost:
whole wheat flour $3.49
brown sugar $4.39