Traditional soda bread consisted of four ingredients; flour, salt, baking soda and buttermilk. Also, it wasn't really invented by the Irish. The first reference of soda bread was established by the American Indians. But the Irish baked a bread during the famine years that was easy, cheap and used just those four ingredients. It became widespread throughout the country and they laid claim to this bread. Soda ash was used, hence the name, but it was refined to use baking soda. Made in cast iron pots over open fires, the bread was round, crusty and filling.
Coming to America, immigrants baked this bread and thankfully, more ingredients were used as they were available. Currants, butter, sugar and eggs were added to make a more flavorful bread. Then someone decided to add caraway seeds.
So why post this? Well, like I mentioned earlier, I'm baking Irish Soda Bread and if you would like to purchase some, drop me a line at tsrichey@yahoo.com before March 12th and you can purchase a loaf or two.
It's $8 dollars for a single loaf, or $15 for two, all the bread is hand made using just those ingredients mentioned, which include the butter, eggs, sugar, golden raisins and caraway seeds.
It goes great with corned beef and cabbage as it is a sweet component to the brined beef and cabbage. It also makes a great French Toast and a killer bread pudding.
Hope to hear from you all.
Happy St. Patricks Day!
