Kav was gracious enough to allow me to repost this timely recipe.
Irish Soda Bread with Guest Kav Rees
I have Yankee Belle Regular, Kav Rees, here today to share a soda bread recipe just in time for St. Patrick's Day.
Nothing says Happy St. Patrick’s Day like Irish Soda Bread and it’s super easy to
make. Prep time is about 10 minutes, baking time 40…within an hour you can be
serving piping hot slices slathered with butter. Yum. But be prepared…soda
bread doesn’t taste like yeast bread. It’s denser and saltier. You either love it
or you hate it. I happen to LOVE it enough to make it all through the year.
Maybe that’s the reason I haven’t conquered yeast bread yet. Soda bread is just
so easy!
Why
the cross on the top of the loaf?
Do you want the practical, superstitious or
religious answer? Okay – I’ll give you all three:
Practical –
it allows the heat to get through the thickest part of the bread so it cooks
evenly
Superstitious – to let the devil out of the bread
Religious –
symbolic blessing of the bread and giving thanks
Here’s the recipe – and stay tuned for a
rare photo of yours truly – yes in the flesh. I believe it is the only image of
me on the internet – a real Yankeebelle exclusive.
Irish
Soda Bread
4 cups Flour (I used spelt, you can use
all-purpose whole wheat or white or a mix)
1 ½ tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
2 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp butter
1 ½ cups buttermilk or sour milk
You can add raisins if you like --- as much
as you like
Mix dry ingredients and cut in butter. Make
a well and add milk as needed to make a soft dough. There’s a point where you
have to dive in with your hands and smoosh the dough while it’s still yucky. J Just keep working it until it’s still a bit tacky. Lightly knead it
for 2-3 minutes – just in your hands, don’t pummel it on a bread board. Too
much handling will make the bread tough. Dough will be smooth but a wee bit
sticky (it will still cling to your fingers but will pull away.) Form into a
round loaf – cut a cross into the top. Place on a buttered cookie sheet. Bake
at 375 for 40ish minutes. LOL. Bread will brown on top and if you look into the
cross part you can see if it’s cooked through. A tap on its bottom should sound
hollow. Don’t overcook so start checking around 30 minutes. Nothing tougher
than overdone soda bread.
Kav kissing the blarney stone |
And yes – here it is – a picture of Kav
kissing the blarney stone many, many years ago when she was still nimble enough
to climb the stairs and lay down on the cold stone floor.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, everyone!
So sorry about your mom, Cate. I will be holding you in my prayers...
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for sharing Kav's Irish Soda Bread recipe again! I was just thinking about this recipe yesterday and was going to look it up. You saved me the trouble!
Thanks again, Kav! (Love the cross stitch!)
Thanks, Jan. I had this post on my mind anyway, because I bought some soda bread at a bakery, and it was horrid! I figured it was time to make my own.
DeleteMary Cate, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Please know I'm praying for you and the girls.
ReplyDeleteAnd Kav, thanks again for sharing your recipe before. I still haven't made it!
Thanks, Missy.
DeleteMaybe this is a sign you are supposed to try the recipe this year.
Mary Cate, I'm sorry to hear about your mother. You're in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteKav, you are such a tease. Even in your childhood pictures we can't see your face. But this soda bread looks so good. I just might have to give this a try.
Thank you, Mindy.
DeleteCate, I had no idea.... I'm so sorry. I remember how excited she was about your book!!!! That her daughter was getting published... and that's just the coolest thing, a love of reading that you guys shared. My heart is heavy for you. You've book-ended this year and I know how hard that must be.
ReplyDeleteYou are in my prayers, dear Cate. God bless you.
Thank you, Ruthy. It was expected, but then sudden.
DeleteI'm so sorry about your mother. It's always so hard to lose a parent.
ReplyDeleteKav, thanks for the recipe. I don't think I've ever had Irish Soda Bread, but it definitely sounds like something I'd like to try.
Thank you, Winnie. I hope you'll give Kav's recipe a try.
Delete