Recipe Category: Breads (gluten free)

This round loaf is delicious "real bread". You will enjoy most when still warm. Egg-free soda bread does not keep well, and freezing just doesn't capture the fresh from the oven goodness.
Diet Types: gluten free, casein free, vegetarian
Makes 1 round loaf

3/4 cup warm water, nutmilk or Stevia Tea
3/4 teaspoon unbuffered vitamin C crystals, corn-free
2 3/4 cups Nu-World Foods Amaranth flour, divided
3/4 cup arrowroot (or tapioca) starch
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon anise or fennel seeds, ground (optional)
2-4 tablespoons oil *
2 tablespoons boiling water
2 teaspoons baking soda

Preheat oven to 400°F. Combine the water and vitamin C crystals; stir and let dissolve. In a large mixing bow, 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 1/2 cup of flour in a circle, centered on a baking sheet. Put the rest of the flour on a breadboard or a piece of wax paper.
Combine the boiling water and baking soda- stir to dissolve- 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 wax paper.
Roll the dough to coat it with flour. Working quickly, roll - pat - fold- punch for 2 to 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-inch round, 1 inch thick at the edges and mounded slightly in the center.
Use a sharp knife or razor blade to slash a deep "X" in the top of the dough. Pop into oven at once. Immediately reduce temperature to 325°F.
Bake 55-65 minutes. "Done" may be a little tricky to determine (the toothpick test isn't enough). I suggest using 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 tablespoons of oil, it tastes better when it contains 4 tablespoons (1/4 cup). Because there is no fat from egg yolks, the additional oil helps avoid dryness.