Tuesday, March 15, 2011

{Tasty Tuesdays: Irish Soda Bread}

Hey, there! Just a quick note before getting into today's Irish edition of Tasty Tuesday ...
Click here and enter to win a giveaway for a $50 CNS Store gift code. Anyone is the US
or Canada is eligible, and the gift code can be used to buy anything at the CNS Stores.
They have a little bit of everything!

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Today's Tasty Tuesday has gone Irish in honor of this week's Saint Patrick's Day.
In all the time we lived in Ireland, I never tried my hand at making Soda Bread. I
decide to right that wrong today.


(Photo taken in Galway when David and I were there, 2006)

Traditional Irish soda bread is made with extremely basic ingredients. Soda Bread
purists would cringe at the idea of adding things like zest, whiskey, currants, sugar,
eggs, or other ingredients that are common in today's versions. But I say get with
the times, purists. These updated recipes look delicious.

David's Aunt Eileen gave me the recipe below. It's her Grandma Sullivan's. She was born
in Ballyjamesduff, County Cavan, Ireland. I'm honored to be able to make it and pass it
along to you. Not only is it cool to have a recipe carry on this way -- this bread is
wonderful. And as a bonus -- no kneading or rising time required.

Irish Soda Bread



Ingredients:
3 c. flour
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 heeping tsp. salt
1/4 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. buttermilk
2 eggs
3 Tbl. melted butter
1 c. raisins (dusted with flour to keep them from sticking together)
1 Tbsp. caraway seeds (optional)

Sift together flour, powder, soda, salt, and sugar.

Then, in a separate measuring cup, add buttermilk and eggs. Mix them together
with a fork. Add melted butter and combine that, too.

With electric mixer stirring the dry ingredients, slowly pour in the wet ones.

Put raisins (I used plump golden ones) in a bowl, sprinkle a bit of flour them and toss
so they're coated. (This will keep them from sticking together and clumping in the
dough.) Throw in raisins. Add caraway seed, if desired. (I did.)

Put dough into a greased 9-inch cake round. Cut an X into the top with a knife.
(As you can see, I didn't cut my X deeply enough. So, don't be scared. Get in
there and make your mark.) Bake at 350 for 75 minutes. (I only needed 60
minutes in my oven.)





You can see other Tasty Tuesday ideas here.

2 comments:

Emily {Frilly Details} said...

Mmmm, that bread looks great!! So glad you shared the recipe!

I noticed that you live in Chandler. I used to live there and LOVED it! There are so many things I miss about that area.

So glad I found your blog! I'm your newest follower :)

Michelle @ On and Off My Plate said...

Gosh...that breads looks divine! Love the shot of Galway too!