The Soda Bread Contoversy: Breaking Tradition in Honor of Saint Patrick

Riley & Lynette's Not-So-Irish Soda Bread wrapped in a $.99 Ikea dishtowel, served alongside Tangerine Honey Butter (recipe follows) or store bought jam becomes a beautiful gift for a friend who needs a little lift.  Attach a tag featuring your favorite verse of St. Patrick's prayer (below) and you may actually inspire tears of JOY.   Happy St. Patrick's Day...

"Patrick's position as a foreigner in Ireland was not an easy one. His refusal to accept gifts from kings placed him outside the normal ties of kinship, fosterage and affinity." *

Outside the normal ties of kinship...  People weren't used to religious missionaries and/or leaders who wouldn't accept the gifts of the wealthy or payments for baptisms or ordaining priests..  Saint Patrick was breaking tradition and making enemies in the process. Even to the point of being beaten and imprisoned.

But, it is St. Patrick who baptized thousands including sons of kings.  It is St. Patrick who has his very own Holiday and is celebrated throughout the world.  I for one am thankful for the saints before me that have boldly stood up and vividly lived out their faith to the fullest Christ-likeness.  No matter what.

Now let's go break some traditions-who's with me?  

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Purists will tell you that real Irish soda bread doesn't have fruit or seeds, this or that.   I've even seen them flare their cute little green tempers at such a monstrosity as a spotted loaf.  But Irish or not, traditional or not, this recipe for soda bread is just the way I like it- melt in your mouth delectable.  And best of all, it reminds me of my friend Lynette who first introduced me to Soda Bread.  (Oh how I miss her!)  If you are not a baker, Panera's Irish Soda Bread is a delicious substitue-see the picture and caption above for a shamrock of an idea on how to use either loaf, homemade or not, to bless someone's day!

Riley & Lynette's Not-So-Irish Soda Bread

• 2 cups AP flour 
• 1 cup whole wheat flour 
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 tablespoons sugar 
•  ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 pinch cream of tartar (to activate the soda!)
• 1-2 tablespoon caraway seeds (I like lots!)
• ½-¾ cup currants or chopped dried apricots
• 2 tablespoons butter , melted
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup sour cream 
• ½ cup sour milk  (to sour:  add 1 tablespoon of vinegar, let sit for 5 minutes)
• 1 teaspoon orange blossom flower extract (optional, but it compliments and brightens the caraway so perfectly!) 
• powdered sugar for decorating (optional)

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.

2.  Grease and flour a pie plate or other round baking dish.

3.  In large bowl, combine all dry ingredients, add currants and caraway.

4.  In a separate bowl mix wet ingredients.

5.  Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix with wooden spoon only til incorporated.

6. Flour hands then shape into dome in prepared baking pan.

7. Cut 1/4" deep X into top of loaf and bake for 50 minutes.

8. Let cool in pan for 15 minutes then remove and cool on rack.

9.  Cover X using strips of waxed or other paper, then sprinkle entire top of loaf with powdered sugar.

Serve warm with Tangerine Honey Butter

Tangerine Honey Butter

1 stick salted butter

1 tablespoon honey

zest of 1 mineola or other large tangerine

1. Soften butter to room temp

2. Whip all ingredients together until incorporated

Butter will keep up to 1 week at room temp, or one month in refrigerator.

I would love to hear how breaking tradition has lead to an unexpected blessing in your life, or anything else you'd like to share about the recipe, the Irish or life in general!  Feel free to leave a comment below!

xo,

The Prayer of St. Patrick

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.

I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me;
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's hosts to save me
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a mulitude.

Christ shield me today
Against wounding
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through the mighty strength
Of the Lord of creation

*Taken from ^ De Paor, p. 107; Charles-Edwards, p. 221–222.