VARIATIONS ON IRISH BREAD
I am partial to my mother’s Irish bread which is a cake-like white variety. My friend Jody often gifts us with a different one – a lovely Irish brown bread from her late husband Ed’s recipe. Our sister-in-law Kathleen makes a perfect traditional Irish soda bread but has no recipe for it. She just . . . does it. The very best part of the bread, says Kathleen, is the caila or the heel. I can’t find caila in the Gaelic dictionary. She doesn’t know how it should be spelled and why would that be important now, anyway? Perhaps it’s a County Louth term. In any case, Kathleen would be right – all that extra warm outer crust with sweet Irish butter is special.
Our friend Elaine brought a scrumptious soda bread over to our back door for Christmas too. The one we chose to share, however, is this one - called the Marilyn O’Reilly Soda Bread, by way of our daughter Katherine, who makes a delicious round. I couldn’t decide on which of these variations of Irish bread would be featured in my WIP, The Mariposa Circle, but I think it could be this one.
Served with a pot of Barry’s Irish tea – in the pot prepared beforehand with an extra rinse of hot water, sweet Irish butter and a good marmalade. I like Dundee.
IRISH SODA BREAD
Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 tablespoons caraway seeds (optional)
1 cup raisins
1 cup buttermilk
1 egg
Directions:
Set rack in the middle level of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees.
In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir to mix.
Add butter and cut/rub in until butter disappears into the dry ingredients.
Stir in raisins and, if chosen, caraway seeds.
In a small bowl, mix together the buttermilk and egg. Mix into the dough mixture with a rubber spatula.
Turn the dough onto a floured surface and fold over on itself several times to make a round loaf. Transfer to a cookie sheet or jelly roll pan covered with aluminum foil and cut a cross on the top.
Bake for 15 minutes and then reduce heat to 350 degrees and cook for about 15 or 20 minutes more, Toothpick test center.
Cool on a rack and serve with butter and marmalade.
Like her protagonist Rosaria in The Immaculate, Marian McMahon Stanley enjoyed a long international corporate career with a Fortune 500 company and, more recently, a senior position at a large, urban university in Boston. She is the mother of four adult children and a growing number of grandchildren. Marian writes in a small, bookish, historical town west of Boston and on Cape Ann in Gloucester, the nation’s oldest seaport. She lives with her husband Bill and — just as in the story — a Westie named Archie.
Buried Troubles is Marian's most recent book, and she's hard at work on the next, The Mariposa Circle.
Find out more on her website
Marian is giving away a copy of Buried Troubles. Just leave a comment below (with your email address), and answer the question, "Have you ever made Irish bread?"
Oh, I love Irish soda bread! But the couple of times I made it the dough was too wet and I couldn't begin to knead it. But that didn't really matter as it turned out to taste absolutely wonderful! I'm not sure why I decided to used golden raisins - a lot of recipes call for currants - but I thought they made the bread extra special. One of these days I'll have to add the caraway seeds.
ReplyDeleteLove your books, Marian! jm purcel at hotmail dot com
Thanks, Judi! I find the bread very forgiving. The time, the bread turned out lumpier than I would have liked - though it was fine for the picture, thank goodness. When we had the bread with tea later, it was delicious. So, not to worry. (Generally, if the bread is a little wet, I just sprinkle in a little more flour.)Yes, many recipes call for golden raisins. I always use the black ones and would use caraway seeds, but they are not my husband’s favorite!
ReplyDeleteHubby and I both love to bake and most times are in the kitchen together. We love to make homemade breads, but I must say we have never tired to make soda bread. Your recipe for Irish Soda Bread I do believe will change that. I sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the marvelous opportunity to win a copy of "Buried Troubles". I would love the chance to read about Rosaria O’Reilly's adventures.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
I've never made it or tasted it I don't think! JL_Minter@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteOh goodness, Jaime- this is the season to take the Irish bread leap! ☘️
DeleteI’ve never made it because my boyfriend can’t have raisins
ReplyDeletesgiden at verizon(.)net
Well, not everyone would agree but I have made with cranberries, Sandy. Of course, I like almost everything with cranberries, but Inlike that variation very much. I would put a littlr bit more sugar in just to offset that wonderful cranberry tartness.
DeleteI hope you and your husband like it, Kay! There are many excellent recipes and variation on the Irish bread theme. With sweet butter (and marmalade to taste) and a good strong cup of tea, it’s a pleasant experience.
ReplyDeleteI've never made Irish Soda Bread before, but your recipe sounds wonderful and simple, so I think I will give it a try. Thanks for visiting Mystery Lovers' Kitchen and for your giveaway! bobandcelia@sbcglobal.net
ReplyDeleteI love to eat Irish Soda Bread but I have never made it. Definitely going to try this recipe. Thanks. bernice-kennedy(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
ReplyDeleteIf I’m cooking it, Celia, it’s simple! I hope you try the recipe and enjoy the result.
ReplyDeleteEasy to make and yummy to eat, Bernice!
ReplyDeleteI've never made Irish Soda Bread but I would like to try it. dbahn(at)iw(dot)net
ReplyDeleteWould be fun to try - not hard, Dianne!
DeleteI love eating Irish Soda Bread, but have never made it. When it comes to baking and plants, my late husband always said I have a black thumb.
ReplyDeleteThis one is easy - try it!
DeleteMaking it today. You have a fine recipe. Would you believe my Hungarian Mom always made this special bread for St Patrick’s Day? Not a crumb left!
ReplyDeleteI’ve haven’t made it yet. The recipe sounds delicious. I’ll make it today.
ReplyDeleteGood - hope it turns out well for you, Donamae!
DeleteI have never made it but I've never met a bread I didn't like!! It sounds like something I might be able to do, though, so maybe I should attempt it!! (ibmandums@yahoo.com)
ReplyDeleteI think you’d enjoy this one too, Amanda!
DeleteI love Irish Soda bread and make it every St. Paddy's Day and several times throughout the year. I don't like raisins so I substitute currants and always add the caraway.
ReplyDeleterobsnest60(@)yahoo(dot)com
You could probably teach us a few tricks. I do love caraway seeds in the bread, but sadly, my husband does not!
DeleteNo, I have never made Irish soda bread. I should try it though, if I can figure out a sub for the buttermilk. It looks delicious! mbradeen [at] yahoo [dot] com
ReplyDeleteA tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar into a one cup container and add whole milk to complete the full cup. One substitute people use. Also some recipes suggest 3/4 teaspoon whole milk and fill the rest of h cup with sour cream.
DeleteThanks!
DeleteShe as a gifted woman, Pattie!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the Kitchen, Marian! My mother, not one bit Irish, learned to make soda bread from one of the Irish nuns who taught at my Catholic high school, and it's still a family fave. Congrats on the new release!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Leslie! One of the best local places to buy Irish brown bread here is an Albanian cafe where an Irish waitress worked for a while and shared her recipe. Cross-cultural sharing!
DeleteThis is sad but I cannot remember if I've made it or not. I have a lovely Irish cookbook with a recipe or two for bread. My husband used one of the recipes a lot to make brown bread but hasn't made any in quite a while. I can't remember if I attempted one of the bread recipes or not. It is a terrible thing to lose a mind. . .
ReplyDeletepatdupuy@yahoo.com
Well, maybe if you made a soda brad, th3 process would jog your mind, Pat!
DeleteI have, indeed. From various mixes and from scratch. Some light and a bit sweet. Some darker and hardly sweet at all.
ReplyDeleteAll lovely.
libbydodd at comcast dot net
I really like Irish Soda Bread, but I buy it at a local bakery. I've never tried making it, maybe I'll try it one day.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
Not hard, Dianne - though if you have a good bakery, you can still enjoy it!
DeleteI've never made Irish bread. I think it's time I give it a try.
ReplyDeleteturtle6422 at gmail dot com
Why not, Jana? Another new experience!
DeleteI love Irish Soda Bread, but I've never made it. Thank you for the recipe, and this chance! Happy St. Patrick's Day! areewekidding(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI've never made it, but I love to eat it. Thanks for the contest. trwilliams 69 (at) msn (dot) com
ReplyDeleteWell, you get points for loving to eat Irish bread, Taylor!
DeleteI’ve never made Irish bread and I don’t think I have eaten it either. Legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteA whole new experience awaits you, Kara!
DeleteI've never made Irish soda bread, but it sounds interesting. May just have to try it! I usually make banana bread, cinnamon bread, etc. Thanks for the contest!
ReplyDeletemlduffer(at)att(dot)net
Sounds like you are a good bread maker already, Mary!
DeleteNo I haven’t. Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeletefaithdcreech at gmail dot com
Thanks for check8mg In, Faith!
DeleteMaybe you can add this bread to your repertoire, Amanda!
ReplyDeleteLove Irish soda bread, but have never made it. Thanks for the recipe!
ReplyDeletejtcgc at yahoo dot com
Be a fun thing to learn to make it too!
DeleteI enjoyed Irish soda bread in Ireland but haven't made any yet. I mostly bake cookies and brownies.
ReplyDeleteWell, if you want to give it a go, Sally, this recipe is a simple one!
DeleteI love books with an Irish feel but I don't recall ever having Irish soda bread. Can Ms. Stanley share with us what it is about Irish soda bread that she finds appealing? The recipe is appreciated and I am definitely going to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteNo I’ve never made Irish soda bread but would like to give it a try. Might not be now but eventually. My email ispgtsmith@optonline.net thanks
ReplyDeleteEasy to make and yummy to have afterwards with a cup of hot tea, Patricia!
DeleteJust a comforting kind of cake-y bread to have with tea and sweet butter, Robin.
ReplyDeleteI've made Irish Soda Bread a couple of times using a box mix. I'm going to use this recipe the next time. Thanks for sharing it! lnchudej@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI've never made Irish Soda Bread. I have never eaten it either. I plan on trying this recipe. It sounds like something I would really enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry. Forgot my email.
ReplyDeletemittens0831 at aol dot com
Just once, and it was tasty.
ReplyDeletebrowninggloria(at) hotmail (dot) com
I have never made Irish bread, nor eaten any as far as I remember. But this recipe seems easy to make [probably until I actually start making it].
ReplyDeletedonna (dot) durnell (at) sbcglobal (dot) net
I love Irish soda bread but don’t have luck making it. Jcook22@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI have never made this but have had some a neighbor shared with me. I think I would like to give it a try . Thank you for this chance. 1cow0993(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI have never made nor eaten soda bread but would love to now. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI would enjoy soda bread since I haven't eaten this lovely treat. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI have nevered made any type of bread
ReplyDeleteClemmie.Jackson@yahoo.com
My Irish ancestors arrived in the U.S. way back in 1801, but I still like to claim that heritage. Yesterday, St. Patrick's Day, I made Irish soda bread for the first time. I had been intrigued by a mention of a cinnamon raisin version in a cozy mystery I was reading, so that's what I went for. Delicious!
ReplyDeleteI would love a chance to win a copy of the book. I had not run across your series, and I do love to read about all things Irish.
gnluciow (at) gmail (dot) com