Irish Culinary Heritage

Farmhouse Farls

Traditional Irish griddle bread made with flour, bicarbonate of soda and buttermilk, shaped into a round and cut into four quarters before cooking on a hot pan.

Total time 26 min
Prep 10 min
Cook 16 min
Servings 4
Rating: 5.0/5
1 rating

Ingredients

Method

  1. Place the flour, bicarbonate of soda, salt and sugar into a large mixing bowl.

  2. Mix the dry ingredients well and make a well in the centre.

  3. Add the corn oil.

  4. Gradually pour in the buttermilk, mixing until a soft dough forms. Do not add all the buttermilk at once, as the flour may not need the full amount.

  5. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface.

  6. Knead gently for about 1 minute, just until the dough becomes smooth. Do not overwork it.

  7. Roll or press the dough into a flat round, about 23cm wide.

  8. Cut a deep cross through the dough to divide it into four farls.

  9. Heat a heavy frying pan or griddle over medium heat.

  10. Cook the farls for about 8 minutes on each side, until golden, firm and cooked through.

  11. Serve warm, split open, with butter, cream, jam or alongside a cooked breakfast.

Irish context

Farmhouse farls are a simple form of Irish soda bread cooked on a griddle. The name comes from the old practice of cutting a round bread into four quarters, making it easy to cook, serve and share in a farmhouse kitchen.

Author Note:

Tips

The dough should be soft but not wet. Add the buttermilk slowly and stop when the dough comes together.

Keep the pan at medium heat: if it is too hot, the outside will burn before the centre cooks. Farls are best served warm, straight from the pan.

Author Commentary

This version is adapted for a modern kitchen while keeping the traditional Irish farmhouse character of the dish.

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