Friday, November 7, 2008

My Kitchen My World -- Ireland


Sorry I haven't been around this past week, I've been a little under the weather and spent a lot of time on the sofa asking the kids to please be quiet while mommy wasn't feeling well. Nothing serious, thank goodness, but whatever it was it left me completely wiped out. Finally I'm feeling a touch better, just in time to do our My Kitchen My World assignment of the week, how could I possibly miss the fun? So glad I didn't have to -- this week Michelle from My Year to Get Skinny picked Ireland for our culinary trip. I decided to make some Irish Soda Bread and Irish Barley Vegetable Soup. Both dishes were wonderful and I will be making them again. I can't believe I've never tried Irish Soda Bread before, it was so easy to make, I even used the food processor (a la Dorie) to do the mixing. And any bread with buttermilk is a winner for me.





The soup has carrots, potatoes, parsnips, celery, and barley in a simple broth. It was delicious and even the kids liked it.


Easy Irish Soda Bread
3 1/2 cups bread flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 cup white sugar
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup milk
2 teaspoons oil (I used canola)
Put dry ingredients into food processor and pulse until combined. You could also do this by hand but the food processor just makes it so much easier. Open the processor and add in the buttermilk, milk, and oil. Close again and pulse until dough pulls together.
Turn out onto lightly floured surface and gently knead together into a round loaf. Score the top and place on baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 35 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to cool on wire rack and let cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
There is also the sweeter and apparently untraditional version with raisins and/or currants and caraway seeds. I will be trying this version in the future, but this more savory version was perfect to go with the soup.

Thanks Michelle, Ireland was a fun country to find recipes from and I have book marked a ton more to try later on. St. Patrick's Day doesn't have to be the only day to cook an Irish meal :)

8 comments:

NKP said...

I love barley soup, great idea.
I was thinking of making soda bread too but I had just made a bunch of spinach bread the day before and had lots left. Next time!
Glad to hear you are feeling better,
Cheers.

Dewi said...

I am glad that you feel better, Andrea. I am sure the warm soup and the soda bread gave a little comforting feeling for someone who wasn't feeling that well.

I actually made the same meal, and your soda bread look beautiful! very nummy indeed!

Michelle Dargen said...

That looks like the perfect meal if you aren't feeling well. I am glad you are feeling better!

Stephanie said...

I've only tried the sweeter raisin version of soda bread, but now I'm really wanting to try the savory kind. It looks great.

Judy said...

The barley soup sounds delicious. If it ever cools off here, I must try it. Perfect with soda bread, too.

Shelby said...

What a great meal to make upon recovery! It looks delicious and I love that loaf of bread!

Deb in Hawaii said...

Glad you are feeling better. The soup looks delicious--I am a big barley fan.

Anonymous said...

Oh... (belatedly) I hope you're all better now! The soup sounds delish!
~Cat

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