~Luck of the Irish~

The Little Guy's Bib

Such a FuN week!  The outside grill has been working for 4 straight evenings!  It's time to bake and enjoy the Irish Soda Bread!  The St. Patrick's Day bib is finished for the Little Guy!  It's a real toss up which ranks as Numero No!  That cute bright green bib just may win out!  It's great that Jo-Ann's is now nearby, because the day it opened in February, I purchased the most festive holiday fabric for a bib!  I envisioned my grandson's holiday bib...  The cotton backside and Double Fold Bias tape are Kelly Green.  A small piece of Velcro works well as a fastener.  Previously, I had purchased the Butterick pattern #4533.  After lining it with fusible fleece, the parallel line quilting finished it off.  The fabric was washed before sewing and again after I finished, so it's ready to wear on St. Patrick's Day! 

A definite St. Patrick's Day edible favorite is the Irish Soda Bread my blog friend, Carol had shared about 4 years ago (Charli and Me).  This treat came from the Will O'Glenn Irish Bread & Breakfast in Glenn, MI.  Butter, Buttermilk and filled with Raisins!  Also...no Eggs!  Yum!  It is baked in a pie plate and is absolutely delicious! 

I've adapted the recipe by melting and cooling the Butter before using.  One year I was working too quickly and melted it.  It was an error that came out great!  The dough is less sticky to work with, so I now always melt/cool the Butter in this recipe.    

Ready for the oven!

Now, I bake this bread every year for our March 17 breakfast.  After cooling, I wrap it in GladWrap and then in foil.  After breakfast, any extra slices can be wrapped and stored in the freezer for another scrumptious breakfast!  Yum!  Definitely leave a few slices out for "grazing"!

Deliciously filled with Raisins!

Irish Soda Bread
Oven:  400°F, then lowered to 375°F.
Total Baking Time:  45 Minutes

Ingredients: 

1 and 1/2 Cups Raisins
1 Cup Boiling Water
*   *   *   *
1 stick Butter - I use unsalted.
2 and 1/2 Cups Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
5 Tablespoons Sugar
1 Cup Buttermilk, can be Low Fat/Fat Free

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Spray a 8" or 9" Pyrex Pie Plate with PAM.
3. In a small bowl combine Raisins and boiling Water.  Let sit while preparing dough.
4. Melt Butter.  Cool.
5. In larger bowl, combine Flour, Baking Soda, Baking Powder & Sugar.
6. Add melted Butter to dry ingredients, stir in.
7. Add Buttermilk, stir.
8. Add drained Raisins.  Stir.
9. Shape dough into a ball after placing into pie plate.  Dough will be sticky.
10. Bake 15 Minutes at 400°F.
11. Lower oven to 375°F.  Bake 30 Minutes longer.
12. Remove the bread from pie plate and cool on rack.
13. After cooled, wrap in plastic wrap and aluminum foil.
14. Wait at least 5 hours before cutting into slices and eating.

I cut the bread into slices and place in two sealed Ziploc Bags.  Extra slices do freeze well.

Enjoy!
Yummy!
Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!