Happy Saint Paddy’s Day!

Here’s some of my favorite recipes from Ireland:

Soda Bread:

4 cups (16 oz) of all purpose flour.
1 Teaspoon baking soda
1 Teaspoon salt
14 oz of buttermilk
(1/2 cup golden raisins optional)

Preheat the oven to 425 F. degrees.  Lightly crease and flour a bundt pan.

In a large bowl sieve and combine all the dry ingredients.

Add the buttermilk to form a sticky dough.  Place on floured surface and lightly knead (too much allows the gas to escape)

Shape into a round flat shape in a round cake pan and cut a cross in the top of the dough.

Cover the pan with another pan and bake for 30 minutes.

Remove cover and bake for an additional 15 minutes.

The bottom of the bread will have a hollow sound when tapped so show it is done.

Cover the bread in a tea towel and lightly sprinkle water on the cloth to keep the bread moist.

Colcannon

3 pounds potatoes, scrubbed
2 sticks butter
1 1/4 cups hot milk
Freshly ground black pepper
1 head cabbage, cored and finely shredded
4 scallions, finely chopped

Boil the potatoes in their skins for 30 minutes. Peel them using a knife and fork. Chop with a knife before mashing. Mash thoroughly to remove all the lumps. Add 1 stick of butter in pieces. Gradually add hot milk, stirring all the time. Season with a few grinds of black pepper.

Boil the cabbage in unsalted water until it turns a darker color. Add 2 tablespoons butter to tenderize it. Cover with lid for 2 minutes. Drain thoroughly before returning it to the pan. Chop into small pieces.

Add cabbage and scallions to mashed potatoes, stirring them in gently.

 Baked Pork Chops and Apples

Flour, salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons butter
6 pork chops
4 apples  (I use Granny Smiths)
¼ cup brown sugar
½ teaspoon cinnamon

Peel, core, and slice the apples.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Melt the butter in a skillet.
Dredge the pork chops in the flour mixture and brown the pork chops on both sides in the butter.
Butter a large baking dish.
Put the apple slices in the bottom of the dish.
Mix the brown sugar and cinnamon.
Sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar over the apples.
Place the pork chops on top of the apples.
Cover with foil and bake for 1 and 1/2 hours.