According to the Society for the Preservation of Irish Soda Bread, using soda or soda ash to leaven bread was used first by the American Indians. The Irish came to be known for soda bread quite simply because they continued to use soft wheat flour that the Brits stop using sometimes around the turn of the 20th century in favor of hard wheat flour. Hard wheat flour requires yeast to raise dough, whereas soft wheat flour is best for quick breads, those leavened with baking soda or baking powder. Many of the Irish were poor, but nearly every household had these simple ingredients-flour, baking soda, salt and soured milk. Today, we use buttermilk as it’s easier to use and is readily available.
It is a fact that Irish soda bread is a poor keeper and must be eaten within a few hours or it turns into an equivalent of the Irish Stonehenge. It’s nearly impossible for us to eat an entire loaf of bread without help, so I chose to add yeast to my soda bread. I have made the bread a few times without the yeast and was not happy with the results and while caraway seed and golden raisins are not traditional, those too were added.
Thanks to Cathy of My Culinary Mission and Carla of Chocolate Moosey, hosts for this edition of Tuesdays with Dorie-Baking with Julia. You can find the original recipe from the book, Baking with Julia on their blogs.
stunning photos and lovely recipe, have a good day…
I love the picture of your bread!
I was wondering how you got your loaf so tall, but it made sense when you wrote about using yeast. I'm glad it worked out for you!
mmm, looks great!!
I've never had soda bread come out so tall. Looks wonderful! Beautiful photos and usable recipe as well.
Beautiful. Yeast was a good idea for ths one.
Hello Lynne, I discover your blog today thanks to Clare's "The Mad Desire! It 's very nice blog and the original recipe over the photo of the dish! I join with pleasure to your members, a dear aluto Roberta
Lovely blog and photos :-). I got the link from Chiara.If you like to visit me I am in New Zealand, here http://alessandrazecchini.blogspot.co.nz/ciaoAlessandra
PSfollowing you 🙂
Beautiful blog, you're great
Beautiful blog, you're great
Che ricette interessanti e che magnifiche foto. Ho conosciuto il tuo blog grazie al blog di Chiara http://chiara-lavogliamatta.blogspot.it/ e penso che verrò spesso a curiosare.ciao Stefania
Che ricette interessanti e che belle foto! COmplimenti. Ho conosciuto il tuo blog grazie al blog di Chiara (chiara-lavogliamatta.blogspot.it) e penso che verrò spesso a curiosare.ciao Stefania
Ho letto di te da Chiara La voglia matta e sono qui a curiosare.Hai un bel bolg, complimenti!!
Ho letto di te da Chiara La voglia matta e sono qui a curiosare.Hai un bel bolg, complimenti!!
Hello! I know your blog through Chiara… nice to meet you!I'll be back to visit you.See you soon
Hi, i hope my english is not too bad :-BYou are a great photographer!!! From now i follow your blog 😀
Ha I love that there is a society for the preservation of Irish Soda Bread! Lovely photos!
I am happy to meet you through Chiara, wonderful blog, congratulations for your photos, we have something similar …. write recipes on photos ;-)good day :-)http://myviadellerose.wordpress.com