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Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Irish Soda Bread


T U E S D A Y S   W I T H   D O R I E
Special thanks to this week's hostesses:  
Cathy of My Culinary Mission & 
Carla of Chocolate Moosey

Irish soda bread without butter? Without caraway seeds? Without currants? Say it isn't so. I'm rather partial to a beloved recipe that incorporates all of the above. A soda bread as basic as this just can't be as good. Of course, Mr. Leprechaun seems to think differently. 

This Baking with Julia recipe is courtesy of Marion Cunningham, contributing baker. A traditional Irish bread - made from the simplest of ingredients (flour, baking soda, salt and buttermilk - is quite wonderful on its own. Marion suggests adding chopped dried fruit - I threw in some currants (also traditional) as well as some apricots, both soaked in dark rum. I also added some orange zest - just for kicks. Being that there is no fat (butter) in this recipe, it turned out surprisingly delicious - and not dry in the least. It has a simple, not-too-sweet flavor that is perfect on its own or as an accompaniment to another traditional Irish dish, Corned Beef & Cabbage.

Special thanks to Cathy and Carla for hosting this week's recipe - visit their blogs to get the recipe.

– mike

12 comments:

Kenn said...

Love Irish Soda Bread. Thank goodness you didn't add Lucky Charms!

Elaine said...

I love the little Mr. Leprechaun! :) Your bread looks wonderful, Mike. Great idea to soak the currants and apricots in dark rum. I bet that gave the bread a really nice bit of extra flavor.

Kris' Kitchen said...

I love your added Leprechaun! Your bread must taste really great because mine did...also with the addition of currants and apricots. And, I also went for the wedge cut. Enjoyed your post as always.

Julia said...

I added lemon zest and thought it was needed for flavor. I'm sure orange would be wonderful.

Teresa said...

Nice touch, adding the leprechaun! We really enjoyed this bread, too. Your additions look great.

Unknown said...

Lovely! Great pictures!

Lori White said...

This looks amazing, Mikw. I think using currants and apricots and slicing the bread like it's a cake are inspired choices!

spike. said...

With a leprechaun helping, it has to be good

Amanda said...

Let's face it, it's not Irish unless there is a Leprechaun involved. ;) Your loaf looks great!

steph- whisk/spoon said...

rum-soaked fruit...yes please! mine loaf was plain-jane. no wonder the leprechaun visited your house and not mine.

Cher Rockwell said...

Unless you were going to use this to soak up a bowl of beef stew, I think this one really benefited from a few add-ins.

You have to watch out for those little impish men trying to get in the middle of everything...

Looks great!

Pamela said...

Unbelievably beautiful!!