Onion & Garlic Soda Bread

Name: Onion & Garlic Soda Bread
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 1 loaf (12 wedges).
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 medium onion, chopped; 5 garlic cloves, minced; 4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 cup cold butter, cubed; 1 large egg; 1-1/2 cups buttermilk

This is one of my favorite recipes for soda bread. It's versatile, as you can do endless sweet or savory variations. I serve it sliced alongside ssorted spreads and cheeses. —Theresa Vujosevic, Hamburg, New Jersey For a savory Irish bread: Omit Sugar and Raisin and replace with 1 medium onion, 5 gloves of garlic (chopped and sauteed until translucent). Let mixture cool and add into dough mixture prior to adding wet ingredients. Another Savory Choice: Again omit sugar and raisins and replace with 1 cup cooked spicy sausage. Cheesy Bread: Omit 1/4 cup buttermilk, raisins and sugar and add in 1-1/2 cups shredded cheese. Another Sweet Choice: Omit 1/4 cup buttermilk and stir in 1-1/2 cups chopped apples, 1/2 cup chopped walnuts and 1 tsp. cinnamon. Another Sweet Choice: Omit 1/4 cup buttermilk and replace with 1/4 cup of quality maple syrup and add'l nuts of choice.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
5 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup cold butter, cubed
1 large egg
1-1/2 cups buttermilk

Directions

Preheat oven to 425°. In a small skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook and stir 3-5 minutes or until light golden brown. Add garlic; cook and stir 30 seconds longer. Cool.
In a large bowl, whisk flour, salt and baking soda. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in cooled onion mixture; make a well in center. In a small bowl, whisk egg and buttermilk; pour into well. Using a wooden spoon, mix dough until too stiff to stir. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead gently 10 times. Shape into a round loaf.
Transfer to a greased baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, cut a shallow "X" on the top of loaf. Bake 35-40 minutes or until golden brown.
Remove from pan to a wire rack; serve warm.

Originally published as Simple Soda Bread -- Sweet and Savory Varities in Holiday & Celebrations Cookbook 2017