Virus and soda bread

This is a costume that was sent from Ireland to Michigan where it was stolen. Be on the lookout if you attend St. Patrick's Day events. It's worth $3,000.

We didn't even go the parade today. I came down with some kind of virus yesterday of which the main symptom seems to be feeling like you have spent too much time on the Tilt-A-Whirl. I stayed home from work today and about every two hours, I gravitated to the bedroom and slept for an hour. I see I mentioned this disease in yesterday's post. Apparently the virus affects your memory, too.

We have the ulgiest of March weather again. A wintery mix, as Paul Douglas would say. We woke up to about an inch of snow, it dribbled snow and rain all day and now has all melted. We're due for 2-4 inches of snow tonight so babies should not put away their Patagonias yet, Miles.

I managed to get off the couch long enough to make another loaf of Irish soda bread today so Regis could have it with the left-over corned beef and cabbage. Here's the recipe:

Real Irish Soda Bread Recipe

1¼ hours | 5 min prep | SERVES 16 , 1 tasty loaf

3	cups flour 1/2 cup oatmeal
2	teaspoons baking soda
1	teaspoon baking powder
3	tablespoons sugar
1	pinch cream of tartar
2	tablespoons butter, melted
2	eggs
1	cup sour cream
1/2	cup buttermilk
1	tablespoon caraway seeds (I don't use these)
1/2-3/4	cup currants or raisins (These either...yuck in this recipe)
1	tablespoon uncooked oatmeal for the pan

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Butter a pie plate or round cake pan.
3. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon uncooked oats on the bottom of the pan.
4. Combine dry ingredients and currants.
5. Mix melted butter, eggs and then buttermilk and sour cream.
6. Stir in dry ingredients only until incorporated.
7. Put dough into a prepared pie pan. The dough is very wet...don't worry about that. Use wet hands to pat into a round once you plop it in the pan.
8. Cut an X in the top of the loaf. (Not easy with dough this wet.)
9. Bake for 50 minutes.

This is delicious and so easy to make. It's good with a little butter and jam and a cup of tea...or with corned beef and a dark beer. Depends on the time of day, I guess. It's really good enough to have for a sweet coffee bread when you have company. Or with soup when you have company. Kind of an all-purpose bread.