Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Happy St. Patrick's Day!


Today is truly the loveliest St. Patrick's Day I have ever seen. Here in the Northwest the daffodils have already bloomed, the cherry trees are raining petals, and the green of new life is visible everywhere. The beauty of spring is just about a fair trade for the freezing parades and parties of my Irish community back East!


Today I want to share a family recipe. My mom, though now legally an Irish citizen, does not herself have Irish roots. I have never asked her how and why she developed her recipe for soda bread, but I never remember a St. Patrick's Day when she was not churning out loaves for family and friends. She and my dad encouraged us to embrace our heritage and share it with others. I can think of no better way to do so than with a slice of Mom's soda bread.


Irish Soda Bread


4 1/2 c. all purpose flour

2 T sugar

1 t. salt

1 t. baking soda

1/2 t. baking powder

3/4 c. raisins

2 c. buttermilk

1 egg, beaten


Mix first 5 ingredients in a large bowl. Stir in raisins. Add buttermilk and stir. When dough gets too stiff, mix by hand. Turn dough out onto a floured board and knead 10 times. You may shape into 2 round loaves or into a shamrock. Brush loaf with beaten egg. With a sharp knife, cut a 1/2 inch deep cross into each round. Alternately, cut a 1/2 inch deep slash into each "leaf"of shamrock. Place loaves on a baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees 35-40 minutes or until golden.
Serve with sweet cream butter and a mug of hot tea.