Hello, March. I hear you knocking. I must admit, you are not my favorite month. You tend to tease us a bit, what with your previews of spring, only to be knocked down again with swift reminders of ice and snow. However, you are two wonderful things: the gateway to a new season and the proud owner of St. Patrick’s Day.
And we do love St. Patrick’s Day. In the spirit of its soon-to-be arrival, I would love to share a family favorite. If you follow the Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, you might have seen a recipe of hers called “The Bread.” It is her family favorite, good enough to be the only bread recipe with such a generic yet important name.
This might be our family’s “The Bread.” It is unapologetically filled with carbohydrates and gluten. Make, it enjoy it, and leave a few crumbs for the leprechauns.
Irish Soda Bread
What you’ll need-
1 stick of butter
5 C flour
4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 C sugar
3 C buttermilk
1 egg
Golden raisins (optional) *
What you’ll do-
Preheat the oven to 350.
In a large bowl, cut the butter into the flour. I like to use my cheese grater for this. Then, mix in the rest of the ingredients. *Fold in the raisins if you are going for “authentic.” 50% of my family is strongly anti-raisin.*
Spray a spring-form pan. Then, gently pour in your batter. Sprinkle the top with a bit of extra sugar. Bake for 55-60 minutes.
Caution: this baby is thick.
Ten years ago, our family had the vacation of a lifetime to Ireland. It was truly magical. It is both as green as people say and filled with fun, jolly, and musical people. I can’t wait to go back.
Shortly after returning from the trip, I got pregnant with Harper. Maybe it was a little Irish luck. When winter came that year, I hunkered down and put together photo albums for my brother and parents. I remember thinking that it might be a while before I got to travel again; baby Harper was about to take her place in our world.
Now that she’s nearly ten (how did that happen!?), I think it’s time to consider a return.
See, it’s really green! And blue and beautiful and vibrant and all the good things.
Blarney Castle
Come ye’ back.
