…. this bread made everyone happy today
Happiness Files – Day 8
I was prepared to add raisin and currents to my bread today until I read that traditional Irish soda bread has only 5 ingredients: flour, baking soda, sugar, salt and buttermilk
4 cups (1000 mL) all-purpose flour
1tablespoon (15 mL) sugar
1 tsp. (5 mL) salt
1 tsp. (5 mL) baking soda
2 cups (500 mL) buttermilk
1. Thoroughly mix all the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Nothing is worse than biting into a clump of baking soda. Make a well in the middle.
2. Pour the buttermilk into the centre and then using your hands move the flour into the liquid and mix together until all the ingredients come together.
3. Using your hands gently knead the dough a couple of times until you form a nice smooth ball.
4. Place the loaf on a lightly greased cookie sheet and with a sharp knife cut a deep cross through the middle of the loaf.
5. Bake the bread in a 425 degree oven for 35 minutes. Cool on a rack.
6. Slice and serve with butter.
Dinner today consisted of a beet, wilted greens, and feta salad. I used the beets and steamed greens that I prepared last night. I added feta cheese, a splash of olive oil and freshly ground pepper and salt. I felt like I was in a fancy restaurant enjoying a gourmet salad.
The main course was the Guinness Irish stew and a dollop of champ (mashed potatoes with sliced green onions) that my husband made. It was amazing.
Before dessert we took the dogs, Lucy and Frances, for a nice long walk to help burn some of the calories from the stew and make room our fresh berries and cream and hot steaming coffee.
Here are 5 more reasons why I had a happy day today. Bringing people who love each other together to enjoy a meal, regardless of the occasion, is always a happy moment. Sharing food with people who appreciate your efforts is very rewarding. Hope you had a lovely day, whether you were celebrating St. Patrick’s Day or just enjoying a regular Sunday.
Kevin enjoying a Guinness with his Irish stew.
Cheers!
Mama Cormier 
My mother occasionally made soda bread but usually it was soda scones made on the girdle (our version of griddle). She was a dab hand at throwing them together and if we had unexpected visitors the girdle would be put on the stove and before they realised what was happening, visitors would be sitting with plates of warm soda scones dripping with butter, firm on the outside and soft inside. I can see them and taste them still.
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This bread turned out just like that and my daughters wanted to take some home. I was happy to divide it between the two of them. I wouldn’t have been able to resist snacking on it.
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