Irish Dinner Bread

The Irish cuisine isn't really known for impressing foodies. I am still waiting to be overcome by a mouthwatering corned beef and cabbage dish. But being Irish, and a self proclaimed foodie, I find it essential to have at least one irish recipe in my repertoire to pass down. And for me that's Irish Bread. Call it nostalgia as my mom used to make this all the time when I was growing up... But there's little that's more comforting than a warm, filling piece of Irish bread. My mom's recipe is a twist on the classic soda bread that we call Irish "Dinner" Bread. 

2 C white flour, sifted

1 C wheat flour, sifted

1/2 C sugar

1 T baking powder

1/4 t salt

2 T butter, softened

1 egg, beaten

1 1/4 C milk

1/4 water

1. Grease and flour a 9" round pan. I use one with a removable bottom so I can easily remove the pan to let the bread cool.

2. Sift 2 C white flour and 1 C wheat flour. Add all the dry ingredients to this - sugar, baking powder and salt. 

3. In a separate bowl, stir together milk, water, egg (beaten) and butter. Pour this mixture into dry ingredients and mix with a spoon until evenly incorporated. Mixture should be incredibly dense and sticky. 

4. Lightly press dough into 9" round pan. Use just enough pressure to spread dough to the sides of the pan without losing much of the air you stirred into it. 

5. Bake in 375 degree oven for 40 mins or until lightly browned on top. If the dough begins to split, remove from the oven. Let cool 5 minutes and serve warm.

For those of you who prefer the classics, here's how to make this recipe into traditional Irish Soda Bread based on my family's recipes:

- use 3 C white flour (no wheat flour)

- remove the 1/4 C water

- Add 1 C raisins

Enjoy!