Bake some Irish soda bread
The number of different recipes for Irish soda bread shows the versatility of this traditional treat. Recipes can be plain or sweet, full of raisins or caraway seeds, and baked in loaf pans or on baking sheets. But all the variations have two things in common—the bread is simple to make, and it’s best served warm from the over with butter, jam, and tea.
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Irish Soda Bread
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1 pint (2 cups) sour cream
1 cup raisins
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease two 8x4-inch loaf pans. Mix the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add the eggs, sour cream, and raisins; mix until just combined. Divide batter evenly between the two pans. Bake loaves until golden brown, about 1 hour. Makes 2 loaves (20 servings).
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Irish Brown Soda Bread
4 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup bread flour
1/3 cup rolled oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2-1/2 cups buttermilk
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Lightly grease two baking sheets. In a large bowl, stir together whole wheat flour, white flour, rolled oats, baking soda, and salt. Gently mix in the buttermilk until a soft dough is formed. Knead very lightly. Divide dough into 4 pieces; form into rounded flat loaves. Mark each loaf with an ‘X’ and place on prepared baking sheets. Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, about 30 to 45 minutes. Makes 12 servings.
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This recipe is designed for bread machines that make 1-1/2 to 2 pound loaves.
Bread Machine Irish Soda Bread
1-1/2 cups buttermilk
3 tablespoons butter or margarine
2-1/2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon caraway seeds
3-1/2 cups bread flour
2-1/2 teaspoons yeast
1/2 cup raisins
Place buttermilk, butter, sugar, salt, baking soda, caraway seeds, flour, and yeast in the bread machine in the order specified by the manufacturer. Set on the sweet or basic cycle. Add raisins either at the beep or after the first kneading cycle, depending on your bread machine. Makes 1 loaf.
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Pantry Pointers
To test the effectiveness of baking soda, pour a small amount of vinegar or lemon juice into a cup and add a spoonful of baking soda. If a fizzing action occurs, the baking soda is still “active” and good for use in baking.
The Practical Pantry ©2007 Tammy P. Olson
http://www.practicalpantry.com
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