Irish for a day. I made my first Soda Bread last year. It was moist and sweet on the inside, crusty and crunchy on the outside. It tasted a lot like the three or four other times I’ve had soda bread, so I was pleased. I made Paddy Melts the next day. I knew I was doing nothing traditionally Irish… it was all traditionally American.
This year, I wanted to try the real deal. Traditional Irish Soda Bread that maybe the Society for the Preservation of Irish Soda Bread wouldn’t completely blaspheme. You see, there are only a few ingredients in Traditional Irish Soda Bread. When I came across Peter’s Mum’s Soda Bread Recipe, I decided to give it a go. After all, if the Society for the Preservation of Irish Soda Bread is going to say this recipe isn’t legit, they’ve got to answer to Peter’s Mum.
This Traditional Irish Soda Bread for 2012 has exactly the flavor you might expect. It’s very plain. That said, buttered and hot from the oven, there’s something about it that’s satisfying. It might even make good Corned Beef sandwiches. Wait — oh, never mind!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Ingredients for Traditional Irish Soda Bread 2012:
1 lb all-purpose flour (about 3 1/2 cups)
1 TBSP sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
8-10 ounces buttermilk
NOTES: Makes a 6-8″ round loaf. I used equal parts all-purpose white and whole wheat flour. Adapted from Peter’s Mum’s Soda Bread Recipe. If you do not have buttermilk, you can “make” your own: place a Tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice in a liquid measuring cup, add enough milk to bring the liquid up to the one-cup line and let stand for five minutes.
How to Make Soda Bread 2012:
1) Preheat oven to 350(F).
2) In a large bowl, thoroughly combine flour, salt, sugar and baking soda.
3) Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients.
4) Pour the buttermilk into the well and stir until you have a dough that is very soft, floury and ragged. Do not overwork the dough.
5) Form dough into a dome and place in a greased cast iron skillet or baking sheet. Make an “X” across the top of the loaf.
6) Bake for 40-45 minutes, until golden and crusty on the outside and when thumped, sounds hollow.
Traditional Irish Soda Bread is best when enjoyed fresh from the oven.
Check out my fruity, sweet and truly American Soda Bread 2011 Recipe.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Roger says
Thanks for the tip on making “buttermilk”. I’ll have to try it!
Average Betty says
My pleasure, Roger :)