CHEESE & WALNUT LIGHT WHOLEMEAL BREAD, Healthier, Easy-peasy, Tear and share

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

  first posted 11/15; updated 5/23

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.   

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:  £1-2
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 butter in small dice 
1 large egg
400 ml buttermilk (or milk - plant or dairy - with 1-2 tbsp vinegar or 3/4 yoghurt, 1/4 water) 
115 gm/4 oz mature cheddar (30% fat-reduced for the cholesterol conscious - 67 used Davidstow)
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. Put dry ingredients in a large bowl and mix thoroughly. Add butter, rub into flour until mixture resembles peas
4. Coarsely grate cheese and add it and nuts to dry ingred. Mix lightly with a fork, separating any clumps of cheese  
5. In a separate bowl, beat egg and buttermilk together
6. Make a well in the dry ingredients; 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 for 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.  

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 also 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. It takes minutes to put together, though, and everyone loves fresh baked bread!
• replace nuts with finely chopped green onions

Comments:
'Brilliant.'   Political Agent

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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.