Amaranth Soda Bread Recipes

AMAZINGLY EASY IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a large baking sheet.
• In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt and margarine. Stir in 1 cup of buttermilk and egg. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead slightly. Form dough into a round and place on prepared baking sheet. In a small bowl, combine melted butter with 1/4 cup buttermilk; brush loaf with this mixture. Use a sharp knife to cut an 'X' into the top of the loaf.
• Bake in preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Check for doneness after 30 minutes. You may continue to brush the loaf with the butter mixture while it bakes.

AMARANTH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400F.
• Combine water and vitamin C crystals; stir and let dissolve.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine 2-1/4 cups of the flour with the starch, salt and ground seeds.
• Whisk together lightly.
• When the crystals are dissolved, add the water and the oil to the flour mixture.
• Mix batter.
• Sprinkle a little of the remaining half cup of flour in a circle, centered on a baking sheet.
• Put the rest of the flour on a bread board or a piece of waxed paper.
• Combine the boiling water and baking soda.
• Stir to dissolve, then add to the dough.
• Stir (the dough will be very stiff).
• When the water disappears, beat hard for 10 strokes.
• Turn the dough onto the floured board or waxed paper.
• Roll the dough to coat it with flour.
• Working quickly, roll, pat, fold and punch for 2-3 minutes.
• The dough will absorb enough flour to handle easily, yet it remains soft.
• Gather dough into a smooth ball and put it on the floured baking sheet.
• Pat into about an 8" round, 1" thick at the edges and mounded slightly in the center.
• Use a sharp knife of razor blade to slash a deep"X" in the top of the dough.
• Pop into oven at once.
• Immediately reduce temperature to 325 degrees.
• Bake 55-65 minutes.
• "Done"may be a little tricky to determine (the toothpick test isn't enough).
• Use a clean oven mitt or paper towels, grab the loaf and crack it open.
• Look deep inside- uncooked dough appears darker in color, so it is easily detected.
• If you see that, put the loaf back in for another 10 minutes.
• Note cooking time for future reference.
• *Although you can make this recipe with as little as 2 Tbs of oil, it tastes better when it contains 4 Tbs (1/4 cup).
• Because there is no fat from egg yolks, the additional oil helps avoid dryness.

AMARANTH FOR BREAKFAST

Steps:

• Cook the amaranth (this may be done the night before): Mix the water and amaranth in a saucepan and heat to boiling.
• Turn heat to low, and let simmer for 20-25 minute Most of the water should be absorbed. Take care at the end of the cooking time, because it may get too dry and burn. You should still see the individual grains of amaranth, although they will stick together a little. Overcooking will turn the amaranth to mush.
• Cooked amaranth will keep in the refrigerator overnight, if necessary.
• In the morning, reheat the amaranth in the microwave, if necessary. Drizzle the amaranth with honey, sprinkle with cinnamon, and pour the coconut milk on top.