Yes, it’s that time of year again. When things that ain’t normally green – turn green. So, being the rebel that I am, here is a recipe for a good old fashioned Irish Soda Bread (not green) which I have adapted (of course). It’s from the kind folks at All Recipes. I’ve made it twice now, once earlier in the week, and then again today. The first time, I put Dark Chocolate and Mixed Peel in it (I had some left over from Christmas) and it turned out more like a cake in taste than a bread, although the texture was definitely bready, definitely delicious. Today, I just added walnuts to it. You have to try this one dish bread. As always my comments are in italics below.
There are two pictures below – the first is the recipe below, the second is a rebellious 6 cut across the top – it has dark chocolate and mixed peel. Again, both were delicious. Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all!
Ingredients:
4 cups all purpose flour
4 tablespoons white sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter – room temperature
1 cup buttermilk – if you don’t have buttermilk, unless you plan on doing a lot with it, just make your own using 1 cup of milk and 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes – it will start to curdle letting you know it is ready.
1 egg
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
For the topping:
1/4 cup melted butter mixed with 1/4 cup buttermilk – when I made the buttermilk for the above I just measured 1/ 1/4 cup of milk and added a 1/4 tablespoon extra vinegar – used 1 cup for the dough, the other remaining 1/4 for the topping.
Pre-heat the oven to 375f.
Spray/butter a baking sheet or parchment paper on a baking sheet.
In a large mixing bowl, stir the flour, baking soda, baking powder, sugar, salt, butter together – you can do this using a wooden spoon, a pastry cutter or your hands.
Add the walnuts and stir.
Add the buttermilk and egg – mix until it just forms a dough – I mixed the egg with the buttermilk.
On a floured surface, pour the dough out – it will not be a wet mixture but it should be enough to form a dough consistency.
Bring this together without overworking to form a round circle about 2 – 2 1/2″ high.
Place on the greased baking sheet/parchment.
Using a sharp knife, cut a 1″ deep cross in the center of the loaf.
Paint with the topping and put it in the oven for 40 – 45 minutes – insert a toothpick into the center, it should come out clean.
Finish the topping by painting the top while it is baking i.e. 10 minute intervals.
Let it cool completely before cutting or it will fall apart.
As always – enjoy!
Irish Soda Bread
