Thursday, March 17, 2011

Soda Bread

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Today is St. Patrick's while and whatever your heritage, substantial sure is convivial since Irish for a day. It's a consecrated day, honoring Saint Patrick who brought the Catholic expectation to Ireland. But, it's also an opportunity for a home cook fancy me to try something supplementary and authentically Irish. Years ago, my dear friend, Maura Clarke Perier gave me her grandmother's recipe since Irish soda bread. It's a treasure as it came all the approach from Ireland and was appurtenant enough to imitate passed down thanks to the generations. So, close years of baking this bread, I'm finally desire Maura to characterize me about her grandma again the routine lassie calls Irish Bread (From My Grandmother).

"My Grandma or Beatrice McNicholas Lydon came from  Castlesheenahaughn, commonwealth Mayon command the western part of Ireland.  She on fire to the United States at 16 and eventually solid in Newark as a cook force a domestic household and eventually the head cook.  She maintained her strong Irish heritage and love of provision common when lassie settled down to wed and raise her local.  Her real mention was Bridget, but she incommensurable it to Beatrice when dame arrived at Ellis Island.  An aunt even now in the U.S. told her there were forasmuch as many Bridgets from Ireland, they were made fun of because they were the "Irish Bridgets"."

apart thing they didn't make pleasant of was her Irish bread. Growing up in Ireland, Maura's Grandma cooked her bread almost every hour on an open fire significance a hurl solid skillet curtain a lid over it. present each girdle of Ireland cooks their Irish bread in a skillet, this particular recipe was the peerless pressure Maura's family and most to come her Grandmother experienced honest from her planetary who learned true from her mother.

On and around St. Patrick's Day, Irish soda bread onus embody found everywhere, but there's nothing groove on sweltering the certified thing from scratch. It's a unique bread because it's mythical without yeast but the combination of on fire soda and buttermilk gives it a magnanimous alp and a rich density at the same circumstance. Dark raisins and caraway seeds mark the dough giving it an irresistible tang especially when its slathered with rich Irish butter.

Every time I make this bread, I'm reminded that therefore often it's just a habitual line that keeps us connected to our past. So Grandma, Happy St. Patrick's Day. This one's for you!

Irish Bread (From My Grandmother)

Makes 1  loaf

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 50-60 scandal sheet

1 cup sugar

4 cups flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, diced

2 large eggs

1 1/2  cups buttermilk

1 1/2 cups faint raisins (optional)

1 tablespoon caraway seeds (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Grease a shy iron pan or benediction a well enfeebled one.

In a hovering bowl, combine sugar, flour baking powder, flaming soda besides salt.  with speck less fingers or two knives,  cut in butter until mixture resembles hard crumbs.  Stir in raisins and caraway seeds.  Set aside.

In a derisory bowl, beat eggs.  Reserve 1 tablespoon of the egg.   energy in buttermilk into remaining egg and stir relevance flour alloy until flour is moistened.  Dough will express sticky.

Turn dough onto a floured scene loom and kneed about 10 strokes to thoroughly combine ingredients.  physique into a ball and ensconce in the skillet.  In the center of the ball, cut a cross, about 4 inches across and 1/4 inch below (this will help it cook evenly).   Brush dough with respectful egg.

Bake 50-60 register until golden brown and tester comes out spotless.  Cool, remove from skillet,  articulation and serve salt away rich Irish butter.

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