Nuangola Library offering scholarship

web1__Rita-s-Ice-Products_Group-Shot.jpg

Free Italian Ice on March 20

Did everyone enjoy parade weekend?

Before heading to the Wilkes-Barre parade, I needed to redeem myself from my <a href="https://www.timesleader.com/features/520521/test-kitchen-slower-cooker-corned-beef-lets-you-enjoy-parade-day-and-a-classic-irish-meal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">quasi-failed attempt at cooking corned beef.</a> So, I tried my hand at baking some Irish soda bread.

I’d say I succeeded.

I grew up in an Eastern European home, where scents of German and Slovak cooking were abundant. We hardly ever ate anything Irish. Soda bread and scones were sampled during the yearly international cooking day at my elementary school. Needless to say, it’s been quite a few years since I’ve eaten Irish soda bread, and, well, forever since I’ve made it.

But for the sake of expanding my baking horizons and for Test Kitchen, I gave it a shot.

Only four tablespoons of sugar? That won’t be sweet enough, I thought. So I decided I would go rogue and add in raisins for a little extra sweetness.

This is a relatively simple recipe in terms of ingredients and baking. All you need is flour, sugar, baking soda and powder, butter, an egg, some buttermilk and a dash of salt.

As I was mixing and kneading and forming the dough into a loaf shape, I realized I forgot to add in my raisins. I flattened the dough out and tried to fold them in but ultimately there ended up being a lot of extra kneading — something the recipe advised against.

The buttermilk and butter mixture added a beautiful golden hue to the crust of the loaf as it baked. If you’re easily distracted, as am I, I suggest setting a timer for every 15 minutes so you don’t forget to brush the tops and sides.

Ultimately, the soda bread turned out tasty. The raisins that weren’t mixed in well did burn a little bit, but I tried to pick off some of the really crispy ones.

The bread was a success according to my coworkers.

Give this recipe a try if you’re looking for an Irish soda bread recipe for St. Patrick’s Day.

<style>
.neFileBlock {<br />
	margin-bottom: 20px;<br />
}<br />
.neFileBlock p {<br />
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;<br />
}<br />
.neFileBlock .neFile {<br />
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;<br />
	padding-bottom: 5px;<br />
	padding-top: 10px;<br />
}<br />
.neFileBlock .neCaption {<br />
	font-size: 85%;<br />
}<br />
</style>
<div class="neFileBlock">
<div class="neFile">

<img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_mixture-1.jpg" />
<div class="neCaption">Combine the rest of the buttermilk with melted butter and whisk. Use this to brush the loaf as it cooks.</div>
</div>
<div class="metaInfo">https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_mixture-1.jpgCombine the rest of the buttermilk with melted butter and whisk. Use this to brush the loaf as it cooks. Sarah Haase | Times Leader</div>
<div class="neFile">

<img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_mixture2-1.jpg" />
<div class="neCaption">Combine the rest of the buttermilk with melted butter and whisk. Use this to brush the loaf as it cooks.</div>
</div>
<div class="metaInfo">https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_mixture2-1.jpgCombine the rest of the buttermilk with melted butter and whisk. Use this to brush the loaf as it cooks. Sarah Haase | Times Leader</div>
<div class="neFile">

<img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_rawsodabread-1.jpg" />
<div class="neCaption">Form the Irish soda bread dough into a ball.</div>
</div>
<div class="metaInfo">https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_rawsodabread-1.jpgForm the Irish soda bread dough into a ball. Sarah Haase | Times Leader</div>
<div class="neFile">

<img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_CMYKingredients-1.jpg" />
<div class="neCaption">Gather your ingredients for Irish soda bread.</div>
</div>
<div class="metaInfo">https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_CMYKingredients-1.jpgGather your ingredients for Irish soda bread. Sarah Haase | Times Leader</div>
<div class="neFile">

<img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_brushing-1.jpg" />
<div class="neCaption">Every 15 minutes while the loaf is cooking, brush it with the buttermilk/butter mixture.</div>
</div>
<div class="metaInfo">https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_brushing-1.jpgEvery 15 minutes while the loaf is cooking, brush it with the buttermilk/butter mixture. Sarah Haase | Times Leader</div>
<div class="neFile">

<img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_finishedsodabread-1.jpg" />
<div class="neCaption">Slice the soda bread and serve plain or with a little butter.</div>
</div>
<div class="metaInfo">https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_finishedsodabread-1.jpgSlice the soda bread and serve plain or with a little butter. Sarah Haase | Times Leader</div>
</div>
<div class="metaInfo">Great with coffee or tea, this bread is good for morning or night</div>
<div class="metaInfo">

&nbsp;

By Sarah Haase

shaase@www.timesleader.com

&nbsp;

</div>
<div class="metaInfo">

&nbsp;

<strong>INGREDIENTS:</strong>

4 cups flour

4 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoons baking soda

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup softened butter

1/4 cup melted butter

1 1/4 cup buttermilk

1 egg

Optional: raisins or fennel seeds

<strong>PROCEDURE</strong>

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Grease a baking sheet (or use parchment paper). Mix together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add 1/2 cup of butter, 1 cup buttermilk and egg to dry ingredients and mix until combined. Fold in raisins or fennel seeds or other addition. Dust your work space with some flour, turn out the dough and knead briefly. Shape the dough into an orb and place on the baking sheet. Cut an X in the top of the load and bake for 45 mintues.

Whisk the remaining buttermilk and melted butter together and brush the loaf every 15 minutes or so with the mixture while it is baking.

&nbsp;

</div>
<div class="metaInfo">

&nbsp;

Reach Sarah Haase at 570-991-6111 or on Twitter @Sarah_Haase. You can email a recipe you’d like us to test to shaase@www.timesleader.com.

&nbsp;

</div>

web1_finishedsodabread.jpg

web1_mixture.jpg

web1_mixture2.jpg

web1_rawsodabread.jpg

web1_CMYKingredients.jpg

web1_brushing.jpg

Test Kitchen: Irish soda bread can be a not-too-sweet treat that can be enjoyed any time