Lucky Irish Meal

How was your St. Patrick's Day? I started my day off in a rush, and forgot to wear green. Oops......I'm one quarter Irish by blood, so maybe I can be excused, just this once. *wink* *wink*

Parent teacher conferences ..... early dismisal from school, busy, busy, busy schedule......some good friends passing through the area came for the night .....



So, some Irish stew, simmering away on the stove top sounded soooo good!



A pretty apron always helps me feel festive and energized in my kitchen.



And some delicious Irish Soda Bread.......... I am so thrilled to share my latest recipe with my gluten free friends. Do I have any takers? Any of you peeps on a gluten free diet like moi? Here you go........ it's so easy and sooo good! Even if you don't have to avoid wheat, you really should give this bread a try. Be adventureous, and give some other delicious grains a try.

Here it is:

Irish Soda Bread (gluten free)

1 cup sorghum flour
1 ½ cups brown rice flour
1 cup tapioca flour
½ cup cornstarch
¼ teaspoon xanthan gum
2 Tbsp sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
4 Tbsp butter
1 cup raisins
2 cups buttermilk
1 egg, lightly beaten

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Sift together all dry ingredients. Make a well in the center of the dough, and add the buttermilk and egg. (The buttermilk reacts with the baking soda to provide leavening for this quick rising bread.) Mix all ingredients until the dough becomes stiff, or difficult to stir. Knead dough in the bowl, to make a ball shape. If the dough is sticky, add more sorghum flour. Take care to not over knead. Move dough to a lightly floured surface, and shape into a round ball. Move dough to a lightly greased iron skillet. Using a serrated knife, carefully score the top of the dough ball with an “x” shape. Put the bread in the oven to bake, for 30 – 35 minutes, or until golden brown, and knife comes out clean. Please note, if the top of the bread starts to darken too quickly, you can cover the bread lightly with aluminum foil. Please take care when removing the skillet from the hot oven.....the handle will be VERY HOT! Place bread on rack to cool, and serve warm with butter and or honey.