What’s Cookin’ at MWCC

Aunt Pat’s Irish Soda Bread

Submitted by Desiree Leader

My Aunt Pat was my favorite aunt, and I have many fond memories of her visits when I was a child. She was beautiful, with a gorgeous head of red hair, and so funny. Her visits filled our modest home with joy and laughter. One of the things that I loved about her popping by is that she often brought a loaf of her homemade Irish bread. Her daughter made it a few weeks ago for her mother’s celebration of life and was kind enough to share the recipe with me. I think I will make it tonight, slather a slice in butter, and make myself a nice cup of tea to go with it. Thank you for the memories, Aunt Pat.

Ingredients:

• 5 cups flour
• ½ cup shortening (Crisco)
• ¾ cup sugar
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 tbs caraway seed (optional)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 egg
• 1 cup milk – if dry add more

Directions:

1. Important part: rub in shortening with the flour – use hands and combine it, do not just mix or clump in – work in together with hands.
2. Then once blended, add sugar, raisins, caraway seeds, baking powder – mix thoroughly.
3. Beat egg and mix with milk then add to mixture. Knead together to form dough.
4. On a floured board or counter – once completely mixed, split dough into 2 – then create 2 round loaves and put on floured cookie sheet – make sign of cross with knife in the middle, then cook. (Don’t set out for a long time – right in oven) 450 for 5 minutes, 350 for 35 minutes
5. Watch bread in oven that bottom doesn’t burn.