Cooking Class with an Irish Theme

Of course, it was easiest to choose Irish foods for today's homeschool cooking classes.  The Irish Potato-Leek Soup (simple but so-ooo comforting given the return of chilly weather) was paired nicely with Irish Soda Bread.  The bread was fabulous!  We made two versions--one with whole wheat flour and oats and another group made it with only white flour and added raisins.  The homemade butter is always a treat at a bread-baking class. Thanks to Cynthia, I had plenty of glass baby food jars so each of my 34 students could churn shake some heavy cream until the butter separated from the buttermilk.  It must be the buttermilk that makes this recipe so hearty and delicious. Not a crumb was leftover from the boys' class, which is good since you want to eat Soda Bread on the first day! We actually made smaller bun shapes so they would bake faster and be ready-to-eat before the end of our 60-minute class.  Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Irish Soda Bread 
2 c. flour
1/2 t. salt
1 t. soda
1 T. sugar
3 T. butter, softened
1 egg
2/3 c. buttermilk
3/4 c. raisins or currants
1. Mix all dry ingredients in bowl.
2. Cut in butter with pastry blender.
3. Make a well in the center and add egg and buttermilk all at once.
4. Mix lightly until just combined. Handle gently.
5. Do not knead. Using floured hands, shape into large disk(s) about 1-inch thick.
6. Set on greased baking sheet (or in cast iron skillet) and cut deep X into top.
7. Bake at 400’ F for 20-40 minutes (depending on loaf size) until golden.
Irish Soda Brown Bread
2 c. whole wheat flour
1/2 c. white flour
1/4 c. oatmeal
1 t. soda
1/2 t. salt
1-1/4 c. buttermilk (or sour milk with 1 T. vinegar)
1 t. caraway seeds, optional
1. Mix all dry ingredients in bowl.
2. Make a well in the center and add buttermilk all at once.
3. Mix lightly until just combined. Handle gently.
4. Using floured hands, shape into large disk about 1-inch thick. Do not knead.
5. Set on greased baking sheet (or in cast iron skillet) and cut deep X into top.
6. Bake at 400’ F for 30-35 minutes.