Memories...

In honor of St Patrick's Day (and being of Irish descent) I baked an Irish Soda Bread today. I was lucky to have an Irish grandmother who used to bake this all the time, not just for St Patrick's Day. Her recipe died with her, and I searched and tasted for many years before I found this. A co-worker of mine brought his soda bread to the office one day and I nearly fainted. It was the same texture and taste that I had missed for many years. I do not cook many traditional Irish dishes. I am married to an Italian-American and much prefer their cuisine, but this soda bread holds a place in my heart and palate. (I will take it over panettone any day!)

Irish Soda Bread

4 cups flour

1/4 cup sugar

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 cup butter

2 cups raisins

1 1/2 cups buttermilk

1 egg unbeaten

1 tsp baking soda

egg yolk

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Grease a 2 quart casserole and line bottom with parchment. Mix flour, sugar, salt and baking powder in Cuisinart. Cut in butter and pulse until butter is incorporated into flour. In mixing bowl combine buttermilk, egg and baking soda with paddle attachment. Add flour mixture and raisins to bowl and mix until just moistened. On floured surface knead dough until smooth. Shape into ball and place in casserole. Cut cross in center of ball. Brush with egg yolk. Bake for 1 hour 10 minutes. Cool before cutting.