Every year around this time I think, “hmmm I wonder what Irish Soda Bread is.” If this isn’t any indication of the wild life I live all extreme and on the edge than I don’t know what is.
Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated every year on March 17th in honor of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, who is one of Christianity’s most widely known figures. On St. Patrick’s Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink and feast—on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage.
There are many fun ways to celebrate all things green on this holiday like Jamie Oliver’s healthy green pesto on pasta for dinner, green smoothies for breakfast from Pure Pleasures and even a green beverage for the adults of the bunch! Here’s the recipe that I now like for Irish Soda Bread (eatingwell.com) and it can be made with ease as well as the added perk of whole wheat flour!
Enjoy and cheers!
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups whole-wheat flour
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/4 cups buttermilk
PREPARATION
Preheat oven to 450°F. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray and sprinkle with a little flour.
Whisk whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the center and pour in buttermilk. Using one hand, stir in full circles (starting in the center of the bowl working toward the outside of the bowl) until all the flour is incorporated. The dough should be soft but not too wet and sticky. When it all comes together, in a matter of seconds, turn it out onto a well-floured surface. Clean dough off your hand.
Pat and roll the dough gently with floury hands, just enough to tidy it up and give it a round shape. Flip over and flatten slightly to about 2 inches. Transfer the loaf to the prepared baking sheet. Mark with a deep cross using a serrated knife and prick each of the four quadrants.
Bake the bread for 20 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 400° and continue to bake until the loaf is brown on top and sounds hollow when tapped, 30 to 35 minutes more. Transfer the loaf to a wire rack and let cool for about 30 minutes.
NUTRITION
Per slice: 165 calories; 1 g fat (0 g sat, 0 g mono); 2 mg cholesterol; 37 g carbohydrates; 8 g protein; 3 g fiber; 347 mg sodium; 179 mg potassium.
Nutrition Bonus: Fiber (13% daily value).
Image Credit:
http://www.ifood.tv/network/irish_soda_bread_mix
I’ve also wondered what soda bread is. I used to suspect it involved using 7-Up to leaven before I realized it referred to baking soda.
I now make yeasted bread, but it is a slooow process — my recipe takes about 15 hours from start to finish, most of it rising time. This one looks really quick and easy in comparison. Will have to give it a try!
LOL! I know!!! That is funny – sounds like the picture I had in my head too hehehe!
That sounds really easy. Maybe even easy enough for me to try? Well, probably not but you just never know!
HA – funny girlie!! I think we could do this – we should gather up all the Indiana girls and have a bake off LOL!
This sounds SO good! And such simple ingredient list, that is awesome. Can’t wait to try it out.