National Bicarbonate of Soda Day

Today is Bicarbonate of Soda Day! 

What is Bicarbonate of Soda?: Bicarbonate of Soda is also known as NaHCO3, sodium bicarb, bread soda or cooking soda, and baking soda. Baking soda, as I am sure most of you know, is white and slightly salty in taste. I have some information on baking soda and my favorite Soda Bread recipe below!

What Are Its Uses?: Baking soda has many different uses.

• Cleaning: 
• I use baking soda to scrub off difficult spots on my pans. 
• It is found in toothpaste and many laundry detergents. 
• You can also put a box of baking soda in you refrigerator to keep it smelling fresh. 
• Sprinkle carpet with baking soda and let sit at least 20 minutes before vacuuming for a clean smelling carpet. 
• To help keep drains clean, pout about a 1/4 cup baking soda down the drains, followed by hot water.
• Baking: Heating baking soda causes a release of carbon dioxide, which will cause the bread to rise. It also reacts with acid components in other ingredients.
• What Reacts With Baking Soda?: Lemon juice, yogurt, cream of tarter, buttermilk, cocoa, vinegar
• Medical: There are many different medical uses for bicarbonate of soda. 
• If you mix with water, it can be used to treat heartburn and indigestion. 
• If you mix with water to create a paste, you can use it to treat burns to prevent blisters (always seek medical attention for serious burns). 
• If you run into poison ivy/sumac/oak and do not have Benadryl/hydrocortisone cream handy, cover with baking soda to relieve the itching. 
• If you were stung by a bee, make a paste of baking soda and water and cover the stung area (some places call for a paste of vinegar and baking soda).
• Other Properties: 
• It can even put out a small grease fire.
• It neutralizes acids and bases. 

Here's my favorite baking soda recipe!

IRISH SODA BREAD

Prep time 15 min, Cook time 45 min.

DM Tip: I found the bread tastes best when you make the morning of or the day before you eat it.

You will need:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1  1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1  1/2 tsp salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1  1/2 cup low fat buttermilk
• Parchment paper
• Cookie sheet

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 
2. In a large bowl, stir dry ingredients with a whisk.
3. Add 1 cup buttermilk. 
4. Combine flour mix and buttermilk with a fork, gradually add rest of milk until a soft dough is formed. 
5. Knead on a lightly floured surface for 1 minute. DM Tip: For less of a mess, knead right in the bowl!
6. Form dough into a slightly flattened circle and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet. 
7. In the middle of the bread make a 1/2 inch deep X with a sharp knife. 
8. Bake 40-45 minutes. Bread is ready when it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. 

DM Alternative: Mix in 1 cup raisins to dough before baking.


LINKS:
Wiki, Bicarbonate of Soda