Our family is Irish and the beautiful land and people of Ireland hold a very special place in our hearts. I mean all three of our boys were named for places in Ireland! We hope to someday take them to their namesake locations and travel the gorgeous countryside as a family. Cashel was named for a monastic site called the “Rock of Cashel.” Camper is named for the town of Camp where Irish families like to go on holiday. And Corban is named for a little lane not too far away, in Naas, that is home to St. Corban’s Boys National School.
We have always celebrated St. Patrick’s Day in style and that typically includes a traditional Irish meal. Often that has been corned beef and cabbage with potatoes. I love it when we add in mashed “turnips” (which are actually our rutabagas). Yum… mashed potatoes and “turnips” heaped into my mouth on the same fork – brings back such memories of our times in Ireland and of years celebrating as a family. Today I share a recipe for Traditional Irish Soda Bread. My mom ordered this gorgeous celtic baking dish for making Irish Soda bread and it came with the most delicious recipe, , we have edited it over the years so I’ll include our notes. Only once have I found one that comes even close from my friend Tricia over at Made with Love Crafter. I like to make that one too and typically make it in my cast iron fry pan. I think I may share it too so stay tuned.
We literally couldn’t wait for our traditional dinner tonight to dive in. Thankfully I got to partake while it was still warm and with butter slathered on top it just can’t be beat! I do love this bread – even though I love it even more without the currants. That being said, if you ask anyone else in the family the currants are a must have. My mom does leave out the caraway seeds that the recipe calls for and I like it much better without them. Also a quick tip that I learned from Tricia (but my Mom claims she taught me)… I use it all the time with buttermilk pancakes or waffles and with this recipe. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand you can add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar (I usually use the vinegar) to 1 [scant] cup of milk and let it stand for 5-10 minutes. It’s not as thick as regular buttermilk but it’s a perfect substitute.
I think I may just pick up this special baking pan – this recipe comes with it and is available online so I just had to share! Its so beautiful and carries such a rich family tradition.
Do you have special family traditions? Do they include recipes or food? I would love to hear more. Do send them my way.
Traditional Irish Soda Bread
Traditional Irish Soda Bread (our version of the recipe)
Ingredients:
3 1/2 c flour
2/3 c sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder (recipe originally calls for more)
1 1/2 cup raisins (We use currants)
1 1/3c buttermilk (see hint above if you don’t have any on hand)
2 eggs, beaten
4 Tb melted butter
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 Tb caraway seeds, optional (We do not add this)
Instructions:
1. Mix dry ingredients.
2. Mix liquid ingredients.
3. Mix together until well blended.
4. Grease and flour Irish Soda Bread baking dish (I also love using my cast iron frying pan)
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes.
If you have read this far, and love the baby naming process, visit that post about Cashel’s name and there is a fun survey I created back in 2012 to find out more about how other families select names for babies. This time around for our family we have the “secret gender” component so we are exploring all our options and would love ideas. Send them my way!