Ingredients
150g Plain Flour
150g Maize Flour
30g Parmesan (grated)
300ml Buttermilk
2 Eggs, beaten
3 tbsp Olive Oil, plus extra for greasing
1 tbsp Caster Sugar
1 tbsp Red Chilli Flakes
2 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Salt
Handful of fresh parsley (chopped)
Note: Reduce the baking powder to 1 tsp if you prefer a flatter, denser, more rustic-style bread similar to the film interpretation.
Equipment
Mixing Bowl
Whisk
Knife
Baking Tray
Preparation
1. Prepare the baking tray
Preheat the oven to 190°C fan.
Lightly grease a 20cm square baking tin with some olive oil.
2. Mix the dry ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the plain flour, maize flour, salt, and baking powder.
Stir in the sugar, Parmesan, parsley, and chilli flakes.
3. Mix the wet ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the olive oil, eggs, and buttermilk.
4. Combine the batter
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Avoid overmixing, as this can make the bread dense and tough.
5. Bake
Pour the batter into the prepared tin and smooth the top.
Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden on top and firm in the centre.
6. Cool and serve
Allow the bread to cool slightly before slicing into squares. Best served warm with butter, cheese, or alongside soups and stews, or wrap for your next journey through Middle-earth.