Two posts in two days! Watch out world! I wanted to share this recipe for Irish soda bread that I found in a magazine so long ago that I can't remember which one. It wasn't even an article but one of those recipes that food companies put out to showcase their products. I think this was Fleischman's margarine but I'm not sure. This recipe may not be terribly authentic but it is really good. When it comes out of the oven and you put a little butter on it, oh my, it is what heaven must taste like. So, without further ado,

Irish Soda Bread

4 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1/3 cup sugar
1 Tbl baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/3 cup margarine
1 egg 1 1/2 cups buttermilk (you can substitute 1 c milk with 1 Tbl lemon juice mixed in)
1 cup raisins
1 Tbl caraway seeds (optional)

Set oven to 350 degrees

Mix flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Cut margarine into mixture until it is the size of small peas. Add raisins and seeds and stir. Mix egg into buttermilk. Mix into flour mixture. Put dough onto well floured board and knead until no longer sticky. Knead carefully and try not to add too much flour. Divide into half and pat each half into a round cake pan (8 inches). Bake for 35 - 40 minutes.

I will admit that I do this in my kitchenaid mixer because I hate the mess of kneading. It comes out just fine if you use the paddle and add flour until it forms a ball.

Now, it's time for a shower and a trip to the grocery store to buy the ingredients for this. I only make it for St. Pat's day. I don't know why. Probably the same reason I only make babka for Christmas and Easter. It makes it special.

Em and Jim are coming for a visit today. The rain held off and PK and El are on their way to the farmer's market and the woods for a hike. Em and I are heading for the yarn store. Happy Saturday!