Five years ago this month, we traveled to Ireland. Ā While we were there, I had the opportunity to take a cooking class with Catherine Fulvio at her bed and breakfast/farm/studio just outside of Dublin, Ballyknocken House. Ā She took us on a tour and we ended up in her studio/kitchen where she films her shows for a lesson in Irish Soda Bread. Ā The typical Irish Soda is bland but distinctively tasty. Ā Soda bread is a quick bread leavened with baking soda, hence the name, rather than yeast. Some sodaā€™s breads have caraway seeds, raisins or nuts. Ā  What I learned from Catherine is that every most Irish cooks have their own version of Soda Bread based on their likes & preferences, however, the common denominator is baking soda & salt. Ā  Well, hereā€™s my version with some of my favorite flavors, orange, apricot & cranberry and my favorite nuts, walnuts. Ā Either give mine a try or use it as a base to make your own, your own unique way...Itā€™s a Great Day šŸŠ

Preheat oven to 425 degrees

šŸŠIngredients

-4 cups unbleached flour

-2 teaspoons baking soda

-1 teaspoon kosher salt

-1 1/2 cup milk (divided 1 1/2 cup Ā & 1/4 cup)

-1 cup plain Greek yogurt

-1/2 cup dried apricots chopped

-1/4 cup unsweetened cranberries

-zest and juice of 3 Clementines (juice & zest 1, set aside juice then juice & zest the other two)

-1/2 cup walnuts chopped

Liquid to brush on top before baking

(as mentioned in the ingredients, the 1/4 cup of milk blend with the juice and zest of 1 Clementine. Ā Set aside)

The bread is delicious served with unsalted butter and either apricot jam or lemon curd.
  1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and sprinkle generously with extra unbleached flour.
  2. Sift the unbleached flour, Kosher salt and baking soda into a large mixing bowl. Ā Zest two of the Clementines into the flour mixture & blend. Ā Make a well/hole in the middle.
  3. Juice two Clementines and pour over dried apricots and cranberries. Ā Let stand to plump until ready to pour into mixture.
  4. Whisk together the Greek yogurt & milk and then pour into well/hole in the flour mixture. Ā Blend with a fork until liquid is incorporated. Ā The dough should be completely damp. Ā Now pour in the juice and dried fruit. Ā Once blended, add in the walnuts.
  5. Turn onto the floured parchment lined baking sheet and shape in to a somewhat smooth round. Ā Flour a large knife and score the bread, making a cross, to Bless the bread.
Make a cross with a knife (to bless the bread) and brush with the liquid mixture.
  1. Now brush the scored round with the liquid Ā mixture. Ā You may not need it all.
  2. Bake for 35-45 minutes, depending on your oven. Ā I check after 35 minutes, and then set for an additional 5 if necessary, check and decided if an additional 5 is needed. Ā Bread is done when either bread sounds hollow when you tap with your knuckle or a tooth pick inserted in the center of the bread comes out clean. Ā Remove baking sheet from oven and place pan on a rack for about 7 minutes. Ā Remove bread from pan and place onto a wire rack. Ā I like bread warm, not hot, served with I unsalted butter along with apricot jam or orange Ā  marmalade & a good cup of tea...Enjoy šŸŠ