Bannocks or Oatcakes are a very traditional part of the Scottish diet.
Ingredients
4 oz (125g) medium oatmeal
2 teaspoons melted butter
2 pinches of bicarbonate of soda
Pinch of salt
3/4 tablespoons hot water
Additional oatmeal for kneading
Method
Mix the oatmeal, salt and bicarbonate of soda together then pour the melted butter into the centre of the mixture. Stir well, using a wooden spoon then add enough water to make into a stiff paste.
Cover a surface with oatmeal and turn the mixture onto this. Work quickly as the paste is difficult to work if it cools.
Divide into two and roll one half into a ball and knead with hands covered in oatmeal to stop it sticking.
Roll out to around quarter inch thick. Using a small plate as a guide cut a circular oatcake. Cut the circle into quarters and place in a heated pan which has been lightly greased. Cook for about 3 minutes until the edges curl slightly,
According to tradition, eating a broken bannock brings bad luck.
When making bannocks, any broken ones are set aside, eating pieces of a broken bannock is thought to bring about misfortune. |
