Captured Time Books

This year we began our St. Patrick's Day festivities with a fantastic dinner at my Mother's house on March 6th.  My Aunt, Uncle and cousins attended to enjoy a "traditional" Irish dinner.  I brought the corned beef prepared for Ruben sandwiches and the Irish soda bread.  Here is the recipe.  Note:  I am aware that "traditional Irish soda bread does not have raisins but I don't care.  I am not "traditional" and my Uncle Bill said it is the BEST Irish Soda bread he has ever had.  (Me smiling with warm fuzzy's)  so tradition be darned.

Irish Soda Bread

1 1/2 Cups AP Flour
1 1/2 Cups Whole Wheat Flour
1/4 Cup Sugar + some for sprinkeling
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt
4 Tablespoons Cold Butter Cubed
1 Cup Rasins
1 Cup Buttermilk
1 Egg (I substitute 1/4 cup Ground Flax seed with 3 Tab. Water)

Directions:
Set oven to 400 degrees and place rack in middle of oven.
In a mixing bowl add first 5 ingredients and stir well.
Add the butter and rub well until butter disappears into dry ingredients.
In a small bowl whisk buttermilk and egg (or Flax) together, add to dry and mix with a rubber spatula.
Turn dough out on floured surface and fold over on itself several times, shaping it into desired form (round)
Transfer to lightly oiled cast iron skillet. 

Cut an X in the top and sprinkle with sugar.

Place in oven bake at 400 for 15mn then reduce temperature to 350 and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes untill well colored and toothpick comes out clean.
Cool bread on a rack.
Slice in very thin slices.

Green Oatmeal and Green Orange Juice.

She was a little confused and not super excited.

Note the slight green mustache.