I'm back! I know I have been missing in action since the Christmas period so apologies. I hope you all enjoyed the festive season. I had a lovely(and tiring) time with family and friends and more food than one person should consume in such a condensed time frame. I am still feeling the effects of it now but am going to make a big effort to get back into my blogging mojo over the next few days.
As it is the 1st Friday of the month it is time for the Irish Foodies cookalong. The theme this month is budget or leftover cooking following the excesses of Christmas. I stocked up on dried fruit before Christmas, I think I was expecting armageddon or something the amount of it I bought so I decided to put it to good use. As I have a penchant for baking I also have oodles of flour knocking about the presses so I settled for a nice fruit soda bread. I thought this fitted the bill perfectly for January as it is easy to mix up, is not too naughty but has a hint of sweetness to make the transition from Christmas treats back to healthy eating a little more bearable.
Fruit Soda Bread
This recipe yields 2 x 1lb loaves
450g/1lb Wholemeal Flour
450g/1lb Plain Flour
1.5tsp Bicarbonate of Soda
1tsp Salt
50g/2oz Candied Peel
50g/2oz Crystallised Ginger
50g/2oz Currants
50g/2oz Golden Raisins
50g/2oz Sultanas
600ml/1pint Buttermilk
1. Grease to 1lb loaf tins and preheat the oven to 220C/425F/Gas Mark 7.
2. Sieve the flours, bicarbonate of soda and salt into a large bowl. Add the dried fruits and toss in the flour mix until evenly distributed.
3. Make a well in the centre and gradually pour in the buttermilk and mix to form a dough.
4. Divide the dough between the two loaf tins, flour a large knife and cut a line down the centre. Place into the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
5. Turn upside down and return to the oven for a further 5 minutes. To test if it is cooked tap the base, if it sounds hollow it is ready.
6. Allow to cool on a wire rack.
Note:
The Irish tradition is to form the dough into a round loaf, cut a cross in the top and then stab each quarter with a knife to kill the fairies within. I would like to assure you all that no fairies were harmed in the making of these loaves. Sure why would you want to kill some lovely little fairies, wah?!
