50 Soda Breads Later..

16 years ago

Tomorrow is my gson's Christening. He is my son's 4th child, and I did it for the other Christenings, so the tradition continues...the soda breads for each family to take home, and the 12 centerpieces...

I am getting too old for this!!

The weather is supposed to be good, so I am very thankful, and happy to be able to help with this blessed occasion...

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Comments (37)

triciae
16 years ago
Oh Kathleen! The breads are just lovely & the flowers...they are gorgeous. You have worked very hard. What a wonderful tradition. I'm happy for all of you to be so Blessed with this new baby boy. Congratulations again to all.

/tricia
maggie2094
16 years ago
Oh, Bejaysus. Brilliant, Kathleen. Now go put your feet up.

not at all dry and crumbling like our traditional soda breadsize=1>

Blessings to the wee boy.
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This is the recipe for the Irish Soda Bread made famous at the Lowell Folk Festival in Lowell MA. Every year it is sold at the Irish food booth along with other Irish dishes. It's a little different from most and makes more of a cake like bread and uses sour cream as the acid, but it still goes perfectly with corned beef and cabbage on St Patricks Day. it also makes a wonderful bread to serve with tea, especially if it's warm. My family prefers to eat the bread warm with dinner or with tea, coffee or hot cocoa. It warms up well in a microwave. The recipe was printed in the Lowell Sun newspaper 10 years ago, coutesy of the creator of the recipe, Mary Noon. I've been making it since 1997, serve it with dinner, as a desert warm with butter and some Jam, and a friend's daughter has served it with ice cream on top. A very adaptable Irish Soda Bread, sweet, but not really sweet, very moist, not dry. How sweet it tastes seems to be how and what it is served with. MARY NOON'S IRISH SODA BREAD 2 1/2 cups sifted flour 2 teaspoons baking powder (not level) 1 teaspoon salt (not level) 1/2 teaspoon baking soda (not level) 1/4 cup margarine or shortening 1/2 cup sugar 1 egg beaten 1 pint sour cream 1/2 cup raisins caraway seeds if you like. original recipe does not call for them because her family doesn't like them, nor does mine. Preheat oven to 375. butter an 8 inch round cake pan or use cooking spray to coat. Sift flour, baking poweder, salt and baking soda together and set aside. Cream shortening or margarine and sugar. Add egg and sour cream and mix well. Stir in flour mixture until well blended. Fold in raisins. dough will be very sticky. Put dough into 8 inch pan, make a cross in the dough and bake for 50 minutes. Cover pan with aluminum foil and bake another 10 minutes. Let cool some in pan before removing. Serve warm or cold. My changes. I use mazola unsalted stick margarine instead of shortening and leave out the salt. I find it tastes better without any added salt. I always serve the bread warm, fresh out of the oven and cooled a bit before serving. wrap leftovers if any in aluminum foil and then slip into a ziploc bag to store. Reheat sliced in microwave on a plate with a cover vented just a little until it is as warm as you want it.
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Reporting back VERY late here. Life in general and business challenges have taken up much of my free time over the last week. Thanks for all the recipes for both the bread and desserts. I did send out a few emails too. Alexa had the recipe that I made last year so I went with that one again. I'll be trying some of the others too. I forgot how good this simple bread is. I love the idea of cupcakes Katie. Here is my results and the recipe. I might have cut that cross pattern a little deep. LOL Sunday Best Irish Soda Bread by Martha Stewart 1 loaf By adding egg, sugar, caraway seeds, and butter to a traditional Irish soda bread recipe, you create a loaf that is fit for a Sunday breakfast or brunch. Wrapped well with plastic wrap, it can be stored at room temperature until the last crumb is eaten. Like all Irish soda breads, this freezes well. 4 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 cup sugar 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons baking powder 2 tablespoons caraway seeds 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold 2 cups golden or dark raisins 1 1/2 scant cups buttermilk 1 large egg 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 large egg yolk 1 tablespoon heavy cream Heat oven to 350�. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and caraway seeds until well combined. Using a pastry cutter or two knives in scissor fashion, cut in butter until the mixture feels like coarse meal. Stir in raisins until evenly distributed. In a small bowl, whisk together buttermilk, egg, and baking soda until well combined. Pour buttermilk mixture into the flour-and-butter mixture all at once, and stir with a fork until all the liquid is absorbed and the mixture begins to hold together. It should resemble a rough biscuit dough. Using your hands, press the dough into a round, dome-shaped loaf about 8 inches in diameter. Lift the loaf from the bowl, and transfer it to the prepared baking sheet. In a small bowl, mix the egg yolk and cream together. With a pastry brush, brush the egg wash over the loaf. With a sharp knife or razor, incise a cross, about 1/2 inch deep, into the top of the loaf. Transfer to the oven. Bake, rotating halfway through, until it is deep golden brown and a wooden skewer comes out clean when inserted into the center, about 70 minutes. Remove from oven, and transfer bread from the baking sheet to a wire rack to cool. THanks for the dessert recipes too. Ann, I love your caramel sauce! Didn't we call that cake gravy a few years back? : ) Alex that chocolate cake is on the list! You know I love anything chocolate. Sharon thanks for the apple dessert recipe too. I have a few that need to be used up so I just might take that on this weekend. I ended up make six dozen sugar cookies for the office crew and the insurance company that leases space from us in our building. I'll be trying the Rye Bread recipe too Ann. I have another Corned Beef in the freezer that I want to make just for Reuben Sandwiches. Claire, no raisins for me either. LOL Love the caraway seeds though. THanks again to all y'all!! David
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OK, left out amount of shortening so reposting the entire recipe with the correction. This is the recipe for the Irish Soda Bread made famous at the Lowell Folk Festival. Every year it is sold at the Irish food booth along with other Irish dishes. It's a little different from most and makes more of a cake like bread and uses sour cream as the acid, but it still goes perfectly with corned beef and cabbage on St Patricks Day. it also makes a wonderful bread to serve with tea, especially if it's warm. My family prefers to eat the bread warm with dinner or with tea, coffee or hot cocoa. It warms up well in a microwave. The recipe was printed in the Lowell Sun newspaper 10 years ago, coutesy of the creator of the recipe, Mary Noon. MARY NOON'S IRISH SODA BREAD 2 1/2 cups sifted flour 2 teaspoons baking powder (not level) 1 teaspoon salt (not level) 1/2 teaspoon baking soda (not level) 1/4 cup margarine or shortening 1/2 cup sugar 1 egg beaten 1 pint sour cream 1/2 cup raisins caraway seeds if you like. original recipe does not call for them because her family doesn't like them, nor does mine. Preheat oven to 375. butter an 8 inch round cake pan or use cooking spray to coat. Sift flour, baking poweder, salt and baking soda together and set aside. Cream shortening or margarine and sugar. Add egg and sour cream and mix well. Stir in flour mixture until well blended. Fold in raisins. dough will be very sticky. Put dough into 8 inch pan, make a cross in the dough and bake for 50 minutes. Cover pan with aluminum foil and bake another 10 minutes. Let cool some in pan before removing. Serve warm or cold. My changes. I use mazola unsalted stick margarine instead of shortening and leave out the salt. I find it tastes better without any added salt. I always serve the bread warm, fresh out of the oven and cooled a bit before serving. wrap leftovers if any in aluminum foil and then slip into a ziploc bag to store. Reheat sliced in microwave on a plate with a cover vented just a little until it is as warm as you want it. Enjoy everyone. I'm off to make mine now.
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lackboys3
16 years ago
Kathleen, everything looks so wonderful! I've only ever seen Irish Soda Bread baked round. Can you share your recipe when you have time?

Congratulations to your family and sweet little Declan on this happy occasion. You are really a dear to do this for everyone's enjoyment. (((Kathleen and family)))
DONNA
ruthanna_gw
16 years ago
That's absolutely beautiful!
homesforsale
16 years ago
You're one heck of an amazing Nana:)

So perfectly wonderful!!!
Carol Schmertzler Siegel
16 years ago
Congratulations on Declan's christening, Kathleen, I know how hard you've been working to great success, the breads and the flowers look fantastic! It'll be a grand day, and the weather will be gorgeous! Enjoy the day!
shaun
16 years ago
Beautiful job!!! Congrats to Declan !!
Tracey_OH
16 years ago
I agree-what a great tradition! You are a great grandms. And I LOVE the name Declan! Enjoy yourself tomorrow!!!
wizardnm
16 years ago
Beautiful, Kathleen!

Have fun tomorrow.

Nancy
steelmagnolia2007
16 years ago
What a lovely tradition!

What an unusual and wonderful name!

What a lucky family to have you slaving away to make every special occasion perfect! :)

sm (who's screamed, "I'm too oooold for this!" more than once lately...)
ann_t
16 years ago
Wow, Kathleen, I'm impressed. What a lovely tradition.

Ann
Marigene
16 years ago
Holy Hannah, that is a lot of soda bread, Kathleen. Really nice floral arrangements. Congrats to Declan. Hope you aren't too tired to enjoy the special occasion tomorrow!
lsr2002
16 years ago
Oh Kathleen the breads and the flowers look fabulous. I can just imagine how pleased everyone will be to receive such a beautifully presented loaf. I know what it takes to do that much calligraphy - I don't do it but Max does and it is a lot of work.

Have a wonderful day tomorrow and Congratulations.

Lee
diana55
16 years ago
Just Beautiful Kathleen !!! Enjoy the day tomorrow. Diana55
granjan
16 years ago
Lovely. I do hope that is your last grandchild, either that or you may have to change traditions!
livvyandbella
16 years ago
Kathleen,
Beautiful! Just lovely.
Love the name.
Barb
earthlydelights
16 years ago
Kathleen,

For the first time last summer I heard the name Declan and I love it. Read up on who "he" was too.

What love and talent you add to your g-babe's special day.

God's blessing on all of you.

Maryanne

A Gaelic Christening Blessing

Dearest Father in Heaven,
Bless this child and bless this day
Of new beginnings.
Smile upon this child
And surround this child, Lord,
With the soft mantle of your love.
Teach this child to follow in your footsteps,
And to live life in the ways of
Love, faith, hope and charity.
canarybird01
16 years ago
That is an impressive display Kathleen!

I'm sure everyone will really appreciate what you have done.

Congratulations for your grandson and best wishes for a perfect ceremony today!

SharonCb
fenworth
16 years ago
Your bread and centerpieces look beautiful! And yes, you got beautiful weather, too. A great day to be with the family - what more can you ask for.
cloudy_christine
16 years ago
Kathleen, my Callahan grandmother is smiling down from heaven at the sight!
susie_que
16 years ago
Kathleen, I know your probably getting ready as we speak!!
Its a beautiful day here too!!
Most Christening happen during the last mass of the day so I'll be saying a little prayer for Delcan in a lttle bit!!

The bread takes me back!! My Granmother Mooney was the baker! She made the most delish soda bread done in loaves! She was fiesty and said it made more sense to her.
I know she also would be smiling upon hearing the name *wink*.

Pease take pictures!!

Cheers!
Susie

May you always have work for your hands to do.
May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.
May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
eileenlaunonen
16 years ago
Nice job I hope your Christening went well and of course I just love the "Irish Theme"... We marched the St Paddys Day parade yesterday East Islip was packed we had a good time!
kathleen_li
Original Author
16 years ago
Maryanne, thank you for that blessing, I will do it n calligraphy in the pic album.
Suzie, thank you for the prayer, always welcome!
And all of you thanks for your good words...I appreciate each and every one!
It was a beautiful day..the ceremony was lovely, only 3 babies. The reception was at a Country Club near their home, 100 people, 43 children! But they had a Lady Clown who held the kids attention entertaining, dances, games, etc. so it was pretty good. The room was large so there was plenty of room..
Here's the little man..

{{gwi:1508086}}

{{gwi:1508087}}

And with his big bothers..big sister is missing from the pic...

{{gwi:1508088}}
Solsthumper
16 years ago
Kathleen, are you still recovering?

That is a lovely, and impressive display! And I believe that, after all that baking and decorating, your kids are supposed to send you off on a five-day trip to the Bahamas, itÂs the eleventh commandment.

Sol
sigh
16 years ago
Wow, Kathleen, you're Irish? ;-)

What a spectacular job, beautiful centerpieces and such gorgeous grandchildren. Declan is exquisite. I thought that us Italians were the only ones that went crazy baking for occasions that were going to be held "out". Silly me. You had an exceptionally nice day for it, too.

Lovely pics!

Nina
kathleen_li
Original Author
16 years ago
No, Sol, they just sent us on the 90 min trip home! LOL

Thank you, Sigh. All babies are beautiful...little masterpieces!
Terri_PacNW
16 years ago
WOW Kathleen..what a labor of love!
The boys look just adorable!
kathleen_li
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks, Terri, their big sis is cute too, but she wishes she had a sister instead of another BROTHER! lol
maggie2094
16 years ago
Kathleen! I am so glad I checked back. They are beautiful and Declan is an angel. So glad you had a wonderful day and you make an album, too? I am totally jeolous:)

Is that a kilt on the middle boy?
kathleen_li
Original Author
16 years ago
LOL, no Maggie, just a plaid outfit.. That's Seamus..
And thanks..I have to take the pics off soon..
Terrapots
16 years ago
Beautiful healthy looking babies, beautiful breads, gifts and flowers. WOW! Just thinking about all that work wore me out. It's a wonderful tradition, plenty of memories I'm sure. Be sure and take the evening off, you deserve it, LOL And, thank you for sharing.
craftyrn
16 years ago
What a beautiful family, Kathleen-- and what a nice tradition-- and a great Nana to keep it going.
woodie
16 years ago
Hi Kathleen! Declan is one beautiful boy - like his brothers - but gosh, don't you just love infants? He looks like he'll have an appetite for his grandparents cooking - looks like he enjoys his meals so far. Your soda breads and the centerpieces are beautiful, Kathleen, what a lucky family you have. Have you recovered yet? Too bad you don't live closer to Marie - you could go over and sit and put your feet up and let her make you a gin :)
kathleen_li
Original Author
16 years ago
LOL, Woodie, you know I am her one non drinking friend!
annie1992
16 years ago
OK, I need to see this at home, the county's firewall let me see the bread and not the babies. Wahhh. I'll check tonight for the beautiful children...

Kathleen, I love the centerpieces, you are so creative. I don't have the patience to do that type of arrangement myself but I sure appreciate others doing it.

Congratulations to Declan, and now, go sit down. Well, first, the recipe for the bread, then go sit down. LOL With or without gin.....

Annie
chase_gw
16 years ago
Kathleen what a wonderful thing to do! I have been on "low speed, very low speed" since last Thursday so am only now opening the "picture" threads.

Lovely tradition and amazing centre pieces, your son and DIL must adore you, as I know you must adore them! Beautiful.
kathleen_li
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you Chase and Annie. Annie I sent the pics..hope you can open them!

50 Soda Breads Later..

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