Today is the feast day of Saint Patrick. I made this Irish Soda Bread in his honor. It is easy to make. You may have everything in your pantry to make this.
In Ireland Saint Patrick's day is a religious celebration as much as it is a cultural one. It occurs every March 17th on the anniversary of his death. We are not sure exactly when he died, but we are pretty sure it was somewhere between 385-461 AD.
Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and that is why he is cherished so much.
Unfortunately in America his feast day seems like a reason to drink green beer, pinch everyone not wearing green and getting drunk.
I love Irish food. It is unpretentious, simple and comforting.
This delicious Irish Soda bread is enjoyed in Irland often. What helps it rise is baking soda instead of yeast. This way there is no need to wait to eat it. You can add all sorts of things to it like raisins to make it sweeter. I love to Slather it in butter.
It is delicious on its own, with butter or slathered with jam. Why not make this on Saint Patricks day. May the luck of the Irish be with you.
Irish Soda Bread
Ingredients:
1/2 cup raisins (optional)
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
Stir all your dry ingredients in a large bowl. Make a well in the middle and add your milk and eggs. Mix until flour is combined and the dough is sticky. Add the raisins.
Turn out on a well floured surface and kneed until soft.
Pat it into a round and put it in your floured baking tray.
(I used my trusty cast iron skillet.)
Slash a cross in the top to bless your loaf.
Some say to slash to top to let the fairies our or the devil.
Fairies are good, we will go with that.
Bake for 15 minutes and then reduce the heat to 375 and bake another 30 minutes.
It should be done when you tap the top of the loaf and it sounds hollow.
This bread should be eaten the same day it is made.
Peace be with you,
Veronica
