How can you tell if an Irishman is having a good time?
He's Dublin over with laughter.
Knock. Knock.
Who's there?
Irish.
Irish who?
Irish you a Happy St. Patrick's day.
C'mon guys, how could I resist? When you own a book with a bunch of silly Irish jokes, you've gotta use them when you can.
In honor of St. Patrick's Day we are making rainbows, and maybe leprechauns too, if the girls are cooperative. We're also reading The Luckiest St. Patrick's Day Ever and Let's Celebrate St. Patrick's Day! as we stuff ourselves with delectable Irish Soda Bread. I adapted my recipe from this one.
Easy Irish Soda Bread
4 cups all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, cut into small pieces
1 cup buttermilk
1 large egg
Optional:
1/4 cup butter, melted and cooled a little
1/4 cup buttermilk
1-2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place parchment paper on (or lightly grease) a large baking sheet.
In a small bowl, lightly beat the egg, and mix it with the cup of buttermilk. Set aside.
In a large bowl, sift all the dry ingredients together. Stir in the butter. Stir in the egg and buttermilk. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently, until the dough is all moistened (it's kind of floury at first). Divide dough in half, and form into two round loaves. Place loaves on prepared pan.
In a small bowl stir extra buttermilk and melted butter. Brush top of loaves with half the buttermilk mixture. Use a sharp knife to make an X on the top of each loaf. (I forgot that this time, but my bread turned out fine!)
Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Brush tops of loaves with remaining buttermilk mixture, sprinkle tops with granulated sugar, and rotate pan. Bake an additional 10-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of each loaf comes out clean.
Enjoy! It's great warm, or cold. I love a slice with a smear of strawberry jam or lemon curd, or just as it is.
Are YOU celebrating St. Patrick's Day?
