Waterford Blaa

Raichų

hi guys,

Trying to source a nice recipe for Waterford Blaa bread. Of course the Blaa has protected geographical indication so we’ll call these.. Blah’s.

Anyone made at home (or maybe worked in a bakery in Waterford?) that could share a good recipe? Plenty out there when I search but they’re all very different in their own way.

I’m looking for as close to “traditional” as possible.

Thanks!

the beer revolu

Is it a Kilkenny blaa or a Waterford blaa you are after? 🤔

The Hill Billy

They specifically said "Waterford Blaa".

the beer revolu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122300808#Comment_122300808

But, interestingly, a "Waterford blaa", can come from Kilkenny, yet is still designated as a "Waterford blaa".

thesandeman

Apparently they don't travel well, but Lidl used to sell them nationwide. I don't know it they still do. I wonder did they have some sort of preservative added?

the beer revolu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122301519#Comment_122301519

The issue is that they should be consumed on the day they are made. Travel isn't an issue. They'll go stale just as quickly in Waterford as they will in any other city. No reason why they couldn't be nationwide by mid morning if there was a market for them. I like blaas - probably the best roll for a sandwich, imo.

I've seen Dunne's sell them recently.

Day Lewin

What are the distinguishing features of a Blaa?

I've never tried one.

Is it a soft roll? Long slow rise or quick dough?

GerardKeating

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122301519#Comment_122301519

Dunnes Stores (at least in Knocknacarra Galway) sell them. It's been 30 years since i had a real one, so cannot comment on the perfection (or not) of the Dunnes Stores variant.

the beer revolu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122301913#Comment_122301913

If it's labelled as a Waterford Blaa or even just blaa, it is made by one of the registered bakeries in Waterford or Kilkenny. Dunnes can't produce their own.

the beer revolu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122301891#Comment_122301891

Generally known to be a soft floury round roll but there is also a crusty blaa, too.

I think it's a quick rise. They are an example of good quality industrialy produced bread, which is almost unknown these days, imo.

GerardKeating

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122302452#Comment_122302452

I did not say it wasn't from one of the registered bakeries in Waterford. Just "Dunnes Stores" Brand.

Raichų

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122304143#Comment_122304143

well you kind of did because

It's been 30 years since i had a real one, so cannot comment on the perfection (or not) of the Dunnes Stores variant.

that’s the whole point they are the real deal if they’re being labelled as a Blaa. It must be baked in Waterford city or county (or I guess Kilkenny) by a specialist baker to be called that.

Point being dunnes are not producing these they presumably have a deal with a bakery, perhaps the package has more info.

edit; looks like they’re being made by Walsh’s bakery.

Water John

Cork should register the Connie Dodger😁

the beer revolu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122307174#Comment_122307174

Enlighten us, please. Ignorant Cork person here.

Bobson Dugnutt

They are grand. Nothing particularly extraordinary about them. Soft and floury roll. I’d prefer a crispy baguette myself for most sandwich rolls.

Hungry Burger

The only real blaa is the Hickeys blaa made on Barrack Street, all the rest are just baps flogged as blaas. Real cheap imitations.

JVince

If you like a light soft roll with a crust, the staffords rolls in Tesco are hard to beat.

Pack 3 for €1.50

Even nicer if you pop them in the oven for 2 min.

the beer revolu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122307509#Comment_122307509

Ireland get this wrong, generally, imo. Softer breads make much better sandwiches!

Water John

Connie Dodger was a very large biscuit/bun, made by Cork bakeries for lent. That's the time when RCs had one large and two small meals in the day. Some busybody asked the Bishop Cornielius Lucey as was a 'small meal' He said, a biscuit or a bun. So Cork bakers made a very large one, that was named a Connie Dodger.

the beer revolu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122310889#Comment_122310889

Interesting. However, someone would need to be still producing it!

Water John

Yes, they would, remember getting a very large biscuit type snack in Cork airport some years ago. Would be an interesting niche for some bakery. Well, if Imokilly Regatto can get such status, why not. Sorry to our Deise friends for intruding on your Blaa.

the beer revolu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122314141#Comment_122314141

Not sure if you are serious or not, but...

Why not?

Because no one has made them in half a century, that's why.

Water John

Well, we all look at ciabatta as a great Italian bread (which I love) but it was invented in 1982. Let's bring back the Connie Dodger.