Traditional Irish Soda Bread

St. Patrick's Day is coming up real soon and whether you truly have Irish roots or not, for that one day, we're all Irish! St. Patrick’s Day, the day the Irish set aside to mark the passing of Ireland’s patron saint, started as a religious event, but through the years, it's also become a day to pay tribute to all things Irish–the culture, the people, AND the food! I've never been, but it's on my and Charlie’s bucket list. It's really the only place Charlie has said that he would like to go. That alone is enough for me... he is a Kelley after all :)

Here's how I found this recipe. I met some wonderful ladies from Tourism Ireland at the Music City Irish Fest one year in Nashville when I was working on 650 AM WSM radio. My co-host Devon O'Day and I interviewed them on the air and I didn’t want them to stop talking! The Irish accent is the most charming sound-another reason I want to go. Their website and sister site, www.ireland.com, has destinations ideas, all-things-Irish info, gorgeous pictures, and this recipe for authentic Irish brown soda bread from notable Irish cook, Lesley Keogh. It is so delicious and super easy to make. Trust me, I'm not a bread baker at all and this came out great!

Soda bread has a long history in Ireland and is made daily in kitchens all across the island. It's simply flour, baking soda, salt, and sour milk (buttermilk.) Irish bread bakers started using baking soda as a leavener because they found that it worked better than yeast with Ireland’s type of wheat, which is more of a soft wheat. The dough comes together quickly with very little kneading. Do make sure to have a food scale on hand. Though a dry-ingredient cup holds around 4 ounces, I weighed the flour instead of measuring it in a cup because flour types weigh differently and how it's measured out can affect the weight, too.

So give this a try and don't forget to cut a cross into the bread before you bake it-some say it’s to let the fairies out. Love that! No matter what you’re eating OR drinking on March 17th, here’s to all the Irish folks all around the world–both by blood and in your heart. Thank you, Tourism Ireland for letting me share this terrific and authentic Irish recipe. Check out their sites and Charlie and I will meet you on the Emerald Isle one day!

Here's the link to the recipe: https://www.ireland.com/magazine/food-and-drink/st-patricks-day-recipes/