Don’t laugh, but I’ve actually never had Irish soda bread before. Growing up, our St. Patrick’s Day menu was more likely to feature green oatmeal and green pancakes than corned beef and cabbage, but I don’t know what my excuse is now that I am an adult. I guess it’s a combination of ignorance, apathy, and the fact that Irish Soda Bread has a face only a mother could love:
I mean, this came from my own kitchen, made with love by my own two hands, but even I can recognize that it’s not a looker. “Charmingly rustic” is the phrase I would put on a menu.
I would like to say that after having made soda bread, I changed my tune, became a convert to the ways of Irish eating, and decided to make this bread twice a week for the rest of my life. Truthfully, though, it wasn’t my favorite. I think my taste buds are conditioned to expect more flavor, and even with the dried tart cherries I added, I found it bland. I wish I’d added more…of everything. Maybe a pinch of sugar, a bit more salt, and some orange zest. (But by that point, I’m practically making muffins instead.)
Live and learn! I can see this being good with some savory additions as well (gruyere, green onions, and lots more salt comes to mind) but for now I’ll probably stick with green eggs on St. Patty’s Day.
If you’re less of a soda bread snob than I am, Cathy at My Culinary Mission and Carla at Chocolate Moosey have the recipe.
Lovely blog! Great pictures! Yummy Irish Soda Bread! And congrats to have posted on Tuesday
I love this bread!!!!!
Too bad it wasn’t your cup of tea. It is rather plain tasting, but it’s so easy!
I added sugar & lemon zest (i.e “made muffins”) and found it delicious. I was indifferent to it without those changes.
Yep, this bread needs mix-ins or lots of sweet something on top! I see you have some, however, I needed more. Sometimes these traditional recipes are only used once a year for a reason…corned beef is also not a favorite at our house, but it hits the table annually, along with soda bread, on the green day.
Agreed. Not sorry to have tried it, but I probably won’t be busting it out on a regular basis.
Your Bread looks Lovely … !!! Great job !!!! I never thought baking a bread can get that easy !!!
This is super plain, but it was good with jam on it or something. I toasted it on the second day and that was yum. Yours looks great!
I was hoping that mine would smooth out and get beautiful when it baked, but of course it didn’t! Yours looks lovely slathered in butter.
Hah, same here! I guess it’s mean to be eaten sliced up…or with eyes closed.
Green oatmeal and pancakes? My inner six year old is freaking out!
Also, I think your soda bread is cute! Maybe not the prettiest thing, but it looks like it knows some good jokes.
haha, a face only a mother could love, too funny! Always enjoy reading your blog…
True – this bread does best with a little bit of help from add ins (unless you are going to use it to sop up a thick beef stew, then it’s all good).
Lovely loaf.