CHEESE & WALNUT LIGHT WHOLEMEAL BREAD,: Easy-peasy, dairy free opt; sugar & yeast free

A more-ish healthier bread that disappears almost as fast as it takes to make.  (Also makes portable rolls or baps)   

  first posted 2015; updated 12/24

Tear & Share Healthier Cheese Loaf (1/2 recipe) 'Brilliant!' Taster

This loaf is so delicious, it will disappear in a flash - whether mopping up the juices of Luscious Lamb & Wine Casserole, or with soup or - if you're lucky enough to have leftovers - as toast.

It's good for you - wholemeal but only lightly so.  It has no sugar or yeast.  And it can be made with low-gluten high-protein spelt flour, or common wheat or a mixture of both. 

It does contain butter and cheese, which puts it into the indulgence category for the cholesterol-phobic but small portions and discipline minimize the damage.  Or try it with vegan butter and cheeses - both of which have improved immeasureable in recent times.  

Very easy to put together, the bread does not require any waiting around for the dough to rise.  Just mix the ingredients, pop it in the oven and bake.

For the cow's milk phobic, use a goat's yoghurt/water mix (75% yoghurt, 25% water or milk) or a non-dairy milk with vinegar added.  

Cost:  min £2 depending on whether standard or vegan ingredients
Feeds: 8-12

Ingred
120gr/4.5 oz wholemeal flour 
360 gr/12.6 oz plain white flour 
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
115 gms/4 oz cold dairy or plant butter in small dice (67 uses Timor)
1 large egg
400 ml buttermilk (or milk - plant or dairy - with 1-2 tbsp vinegar or 3/4 yoghurt, 1/4 water) (67 uses almond milk)
115 gm/4 oz mature cheddar (30% fat-reduced for the cholesterol conscious - 67 used Davidstow OR vegan Cathedral City mature cheddar plus 2 extra tablespoons
50 gms/1.75 oz chopped walnuts (opt) 


Method:

1. Pre-heat oven to 190C/375F/gas4
2. Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper  
3. Mix dry ingredients throughly in a large bowl; add butter, rub into flour until mixture resembles peas
4. Coarsely grate cheese and add it and nuts to flour-butter mix; use a fork to lightly separate any clumps of cheese  
5. In a separate bowl, beat egg and buttermilk together
6. Make a well in flour mix;  add liquid; mix well with spatula; it will be thick
7. Tip onto a lightly floured board; knead lightly & shape into a round, adding more flour if necessary
8. Place on baking tray and using a sharp knife divide into 8-12 wedges; cut right down to the bottom; the wedges will rise together    
9. Bake 45-50 min.  About 40 min in, take the loaf out of the oven. Carefully turn the bread over, leaving the bottom exposed  
10. Return to oven.  The bread is done when the bottom of the loaf sounds hollow when it is tapped.  

Comments:
'Brilliant.'   Political Agent

Tips:

• For a plain light wholemeal soda bread, do not add cheese or nuts, and form into a large round with a cross cut in the middle ,or bake in a 2 pound loaf pan
• if cutting the uncooked dough into wedges, make some portions larger and the rest in smaller portions
• the dough can be used for portable rolls or baps
• This bread freezes well and, once defrosted, should be reheated in the lower half of a medium oven 15-20 min. 
• replace nuts with finely chopped green onions

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This recipe has been developed by B  Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises and may not be reproduced, in any form, without the author's written permission.