Irish Bread and a Blessing

Happy St. Patrick's Day to one and all!

Each year on this day, I make Irish Soda Bread and wonder why I only make it but once a year.

Here is my recipe:

Irish Soda Bread

4 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
2 Tbs. caraway seeds
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 cups raisins
1 1/3 cup buttermilk
1 egg

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine flour, sugar, salt, baking powder. Add caraway seeds. Cut in butter and add raisins. Stir together buttermilk, egg and baking soda. Pour liquid into dry mixture. Stir together with fork, then knead with hands until dough is smooth. Shape into a ball and place on a greased baking sheet. Press down, slightly flattening the dough. Cut a 4-inch length and 1/4 inch deep cross on top. Brush top with milk or cream. Bake 1 hour 10 minutes. Let cool and enjoy!

And now I must end with a classic Irish poem:

Wishing you a rainbow

For sunlight after showers—

Miles and miles of Irish smiles

For golden happy hours—

Shamrocks at your doorway

For luck and laughter too,

And a host of friends that never ends

Each day your whole life through!