Family Chow Hall

St. Patrick’s Day

March 17th, 2006

St. Patrick’s Day is truly one of my favorite holidays.

On St. Patrick’s Day we honor the beloved St. Patrick, who, after being born in England in the year 386 A.D., was captured and brought to Ireland as a slave to a Druid high priest. Dear St. Patrick escaped slavery, returned to England, and spent years in a monastery. Eventually, he felt the Lord calling him to return to Ireland to preach the Good News of the Lord to the lost. He was one of the first Christian missionaries to Ireland. Legend credits him with removing all of the snakes from Ireland.

This St. Patrick’s Day, consider making one or more of these traditional foods:

Boiled supper of ham, cabbage, and potatoes
Corned Beef served with cabbage
Broccoli - simply because it’s so green
Creamed Peas and Potatoes
Irish Soda Bread

Today I am simply passing on this recipe for Irish Soda Bread from my age-worn Betty Crocker cookbook. I am going to alter it slightly by making individual-sized soda breads. In the past, we have enjoyed Irish Soda Bread, but it often turns out doughy inside when it’s the perfect brown color outside.

Mini Irish Soda Breads
makes 6 / prep. time: 15 minutes / bake time: 20 - 30 minutes

3 T. soft (not melted) butter
2 1/2 c. flour
2 T. sugar
1 t. baking soda
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1/3 c. raisins, optional
3/4 c. buttermilk or sour milk

Heat oven to 375. Use a pastry blender to cut the butter into the dry ingredients. Cut until this mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Using a spatula or rubber scraper, fold in the raisins and buttermilk.

Turn onto a lightly floured cutting board and knead just until smooth, 1 or 2 minutes. Separate into six pieces and shape into balls. Place them, almost touching, onto a greased cookie sheet. Use a sharp knife to cut an “x” into the top of each bread.

Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes or so. Spread a little butter on top when they come out of the oven.

Good wishes and the “Luck o’ the Irish to Ya!”

Eat Well to Live Better

Entry Filed under: Bread, Holidays, Mixed bag, Most Popular Posts, Recipes, Supper