When I met Markipedia, he used to raise his glass and say, “Sláinte va!” which he knew was a toast, but not whence it came, other than from an anthropologist friend.
One of our multilingual friends once told him it was Russian, but we are pretty sure she was thinking, “Nasdarovje.” They sound enough alike, right? Not so much; maybe it was just Mark’s pronunciation?
But the toast “sláinte” is actually an Irish Gaelic toast to “good health. “Sláinte va” is the Scottish Gaelic version, and with this revelation, Mark recalled that his anthropologist’s friend’s heritage was Scottish.
Now that we are settled there, let’s talk about Irish soda bread. After all, it’s March and St. Patrick’s Day looms.
I never much liked soda bread when I was growing up… it was always dry and generally flavorless, with too strong a flavor of baking soda.
Then, when dining with our friends Anne and Vance, Anne served Vance’s Cousin Margaret’s Irish Bread and my mind was changed.
This has to be the most flavorful and moist bread I have had, and I am grateful to Cousin Margaret (and Anne and Vance) for the recipe.
You will be grateful, too!
Sláinte!
~ David
Cousin Margaret’s Irish Bread
1 cup raisins
1 cup currants
4 cups flour
1 cup sugar
5 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon caraway seeds
1 tablespoon cumin seeds
l to 11/2 cups of milk
1 egg (beaten)
3/4 cup butter, melted *
* Cousin Margaret used margarine.
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Heat the raisins and currants in warm water** for about 15 minutes to soften, then drain them. Mix the dry ingredients and add the raisins. Then add 1 cup milk, the egg and melted butter – you may have to add a little more milk to make a stiff dough.
Turn dough onto the counter and knead to form cake to fit into a greased 10-inch casserole or round baking pan. Your pan or casserole should be about 2 to 3 inches high. I used a springform pan
“Prick” the bread all over with a fork or knife before putting it in the oven.
Bake about 50 minutes or until golden on top.
Makes 1 10-inch loaf.
** I am not averse to soaking them in some Irish whiskey…
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Jill
March 9, 2019 at 5:08 pmMust try this recipe after a trip to Penzys. I had no idea it was so easy. I have been getting 2 or 3 loaves at Beyond Bread every March – eating a piece of it toasted now.
Cocoa & Lavender
March 9, 2019 at 5:22 pmYou will love this version, Jill… and it is very easy!
Eha
March 9, 2019 at 10:48 pmWell, may I add 'nasdarovje' to 'slainte' to celebrate a recipe . . . with the possible exception of cumin seeds this bread is made and enjoyed in all the Baltics and as much of Russia as I know ) ! Well, in March we'll celebrate with the Irish . . . !
Cocoa & Lavender
March 10, 2019 at 2:15 pmI didn’t know that this bread was made in the Baltics – very fun to know how global foods are!
Sippity Sup
March 9, 2019 at 11:21 pmThis may be the year I give soda bread a try. I've never eaten nor made it before! GREG
Cocoa & Lavender
March 10, 2019 at 2:15 pmIf you do, Greg, I hope you like it!
he needs food
March 10, 2019 at 4:29 amEach time I spy the soda bread at one of our local farmers' markets, I momentarily think to make it myself someday. That day has never come. Maybe seeing yours will spur me on!
Cocoa & Lavender
March 10, 2019 at 2:15 pmDefinitely worth trying this version, John… it may ruin you for others, though!
Fran @ Gday Souffle
March 10, 2019 at 6:48 amI can see right away the similarity to the French word 'santé'(health)! This is an interesting recipe- who would have thought the Irish would use cumin in their bread? It's a fascinating world!
Cocoa & Lavender
March 10, 2019 at 2:16 pmOnce I saw how sláinte was spelled, I saw the French connection, as well. But never from the pronunciation!
Kelly | Foodtasia
March 10, 2019 at 10:38 amDavid, I haven't had Irish soda bread in ages and I certainly don't remember it looking this flavorful. You've got me with the combination of raisins, caraway, and cumin. Have to try it!
Cocoa & Lavender
March 10, 2019 at 2:17 pmI think that is why I shied away from soda breads – generally they weren’t too flavorful. This one, however, is! I hope you make it, Kelly!
Unknown
March 10, 2019 at 12:27 pm…I love soda bread and I make it often. this looks super, I am only surprised to see cumin seeds, which in British baking is really seldom used. interesting, will check with my books. stefano
Cocoa & Lavender
March 10, 2019 at 2:18 pmThe cumin seed might have been Cousin Margaret’s special addition… I wondered if she mistook cumin seeds for caraway seeds and a new recipe was born! However it happened, it is the cumin that really makes this bread shine!
Unknown
March 10, 2019 at 4:44 pmshe might have been onto something: Elizabeth David herself has a sweet sweet bread and bun spice mix where she adds cumin, untraditional but delicious, she says (the bread book) – stefano
Cocoa & Lavender
March 11, 2019 at 1:00 amIt really is delicious in this soda bread, Ste – you should try it!
Frank
March 10, 2019 at 12:51 pmYour nasdarovje looks quite delicious, David… especially like the little hints of spice and dried fruit. My experience with Irish soda bread hasn't endeared me to it, but I think I'd like this one very much.
Cocoa & Lavender
March 10, 2019 at 2:19 pmI think you would like this bread, Frank – it is just sweet enough to make a nice dessert!
2pots2cook
March 10, 2019 at 2:34 pmWhen we had our holidays in beautiful Scotland we had soda bread quite often and I am thankful very, very much for the recipe. Keeper, definitely !
Cocoa & Lavender
March 10, 2019 at 2:38 pmThanks, Davorka – I hope this bread brings back wonderful memories of your travels.
Gerlinde de Broekert
March 11, 2019 at 2:24 amI used to make soda bread with my first graders. It was fun but it didn’t taste very good. Yours looks so much better.
Cocoa & Lavender
March 13, 2019 at 2:19 pmThe truly simple stuff is probably more traditional, Gerlinde, but it really didn't taste great! 🙂
Christina | Christina's Cucina
March 11, 2019 at 5:05 am“Sláinte va” is my dad's "go to" when drinking! He's not Scottish, we're just born there. 🙂 Now onto that soda bread: it looks fabulous! I wanted to share a soda bread recipe for St Patrick's Day, but alas, not enough hours in the day/week/month/year!
Yours is definitely a keeper! Thanks, David!
Cocoa & Lavender
March 13, 2019 at 2:19 pmThanks, Christina – I love "we're not Scottish, we're just born there!" 🙂
Ron
March 11, 2019 at 1:40 pmMy grandmother made soda bread and like your early experiences, I found it tasteless and dry. I'm not a baker, but I'm going stir this one up. Perhaps it'll convert me. You can tell Mark, thanks for giving me a new word to use.
Cocoa & Lavender
March 13, 2019 at 2:20 pmThis really is a horse of a different color, Ron – enjoy!
Valentina
March 11, 2019 at 8:02 pmI don't think you can go wrong with all of those flavorful spices that are included — and the moist raisins an currants. Sounds like a delicious combination of flavors. I'd love a slice toasted with butter!
Cocoa & Lavender
March 13, 2019 at 2:21 pmToasted with butter sounds perfect, Valentina! I was too impatient and just ate it untoasted with butter! 🙂
Kitchen Riffs
March 13, 2019 at 3:36 pmSoda bread is good stuff — we don't make it often, but always enjoy it when I do. Next time I'm trying your recipe (well, cousin Margaret's recipe). Love the idea of cumin in it!
Cocoa & Lavender
March 14, 2019 at 2:17 pmI bet the cumin would make it pair nicely with one of your cocktails, John!
All That I'm Eating
March 14, 2019 at 2:37 pmI am really liking the sound of those spices with the dried fruit. This is right up my street for something a bit different for breakfast!
Cocoa & Lavender
March 15, 2019 at 2:33 pmIt is good for breakfast, tea, or even as dessert!
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com
March 14, 2019 at 3:10 pmDavid, this delicious version of Irish soda bread I would serve as dessert! My own recipe is savory and flavorful and not dry, but this version would really serve me well as a dessert because I don't like ooey-gooey desserts. Perfect with a cup of tea.
Cocoa & Lavender
March 15, 2019 at 2:34 pmIt does make a lovely dessert, Jean – finishes a meal nicely without being cloying.
Inger @ Art of Natural Living
March 18, 2019 at 12:56 pmI will have to try this David. I made Brown Soda Bread yesterday, but I actually ground up wheat berries and mixed multiple flours to try to simulate the "whole meal flour" it was made from in Ireland in the 70s. But I know I'd love the sweeter, dried fruit version too!
Cocoa & Lavender
March 19, 2019 at 2:11 pmEveryone who has made this has loved it, Inger!
Emma @ Bake Then Eat
April 14, 2019 at 4:40 amWhat a beautiful combination of flavours this soda bread has in it. Definitely one to try.