Guest Author - Mary Ellen Sweeney

Rye bread will do you no good
Barley bread will do you no harm
Wheaten bread will sweeten your blood
Oaten bread will strengthen your arm.
---Popular Irish Rhyme

Sprinkle a tablespoon or two of McCann's Quick Cooking Oatmeal over the top of this bread before baking. This easy hearty bread is delicious with soups or salads.

Ingredients
3 cups all purpose white flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup McCann's Quick Cooking Oatmeal
1/3 cup McCann's Steel-Cut Oatmeal
2 1/2 teaspoons of baking soda
1/4 to 1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine, chilled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 1/2 to 2 cups buttermilk

Preparation
Preheat the oven to 425°F. Lightly dust the surface of the baking sheet with flour.
Stir together the flours, oats, sugar and baking soda in a large bowl. Using fingertips, quickly rub in the butter. Make a well in the center and gradually stir in the buttermilk with a wooden spoon until the dough is soft, but manageable.

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured board and knead it for about 1 minute. Shape the dough into a ball and put it in the center of the prepared baking sheet. With the palm of your hand, flatten the dough into a circle that is about 1 1/2 inches thick. Using a sharp knife dipped in flour, make a cross (do not cut too deep) through the center of the bread so that it will easily break in quarters when it is baked. Bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until browned and cooked through. To ensure the bread is well done, tap the bottom. If it produces a hollow sound, it's perfect.

Makes 1 loaf.

McCann’s Steel-Cut Oatmeal (Other McCann’s Oatmeal varieties and an assortment of Irish foods also found by following this link.)