I am on my big computer aand I do not have a computer ready version of my Good Loaf Soda Bread Recipe. However, out of the goodness of my heart, I am going to type in the recipe because I'm an Aries Rat and I do what I please. here's the recipe:
The Good Loaf’s
Irish Soda Bread
1 cup currants
½ cup Irish whiskey or hot water
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons chilled, unsalted butter,
Cut in small pieces
¾ cup buttermilk
Soak the currants in the liquid. Please use the whiskey, not plain water. Soak for as little as 30 minutes or as long as overnight.
Combine flours, sugar, soda and salt in a bowl, and blend
By hand or with an open whisk.
Flake butter into the dry mixture by hand until it forms thumbnail sized pieces.
Do not overwork the butter.
Stir in currants without the liquid until just incorporated.
(You can reserve the liquid for making irish Whiskey Butter)
Add buttermilk slowly, and pull dough together
With a wooden spoon or spatula.
When you are able to form into a round,
pat the dough together with your hands and
Move to a lightly floured surface. (Dust the board by flicking
The flour, using the motion of skipping a stone.)
Work the dough with your fingertips into a 6-inch round.
It should just hold together. Place dough on a greased
Or parchment covered baking sheet, and, with a knife, make
A ½ inch slash down the length of the dough
And another horizontally inthe form of a cross.
Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for about 30 m minutes
Until golden brown. Let cool for 30 minutes before slicing.
Adapted from The Bread Bible.
I wish I could remember the name of the chef who used to make this bread once a year for St. Patrick's Day. I know that she had a very serious stroke, and that for physical therapy, she used to haunt the gym at Hampshire Hills Athletic Club, and she continued to run this bakery. She also used to make a white chocolate and dried sour cherry scone which was to die for.
Foxtrot Alpha, sis! But you know who's worse? I'm also an Enneagram 8, nicknamed the CHALLENGER. Check out the Enneagram sometime if you feel that the unexamined. Life is not worth living. That'll give you pause!
The letter from AL and your "Still, I got the general idea" cracked me up. Have come to look forward to your USP: great conversations with everyday yet extraordinary people. Mentally stimulating but also heartwarming and life-affirming!
You know, I haven’t missed NYC for a second, but yr Black story and flying bagels is sooooo NY!! And I miss that. I must find my own flying burritos here in NM!!
Always a blast and impossible to predict what is simmering in your mind. My favorite part is the little flags identifying the key ingredients in his soda bread. My next door neighbor Wisconsin is always in a bragging mood pointing out their cheese, underage drinking and cranberry prowess. What the hell are cranberries doing in the soda bread??? My theory is not many people love raisins so cranberries are an upgrade. Mr. Black seems fascinating and a guy who you could give a prompt and his response could be just about anything!
I have an old colleague who liked to paint watercolors. His job was involved with nuclear power plants so he had an absurd array of paintings of nuclear plants. His real job versus his passion could not be more dissimilar. If I can find him (it's been years) I will figure out if he has a picture of RGE Ginna. Watercolors of nuclear plants is not a popular genre.
Your mayor, reverting to papa bear and counseling people to hydrate is just great.
Thanks Mark! The soda bread, Mr. Black told me, were created by one Susanna Johnson-Sharp, who has a degree in culinary science or something like that, and is a well-known chef in Natchez, Mississippi. So I suspect she knows what she's doing when it comes to the cranberries.
I would love to see your colleague's nuclear plant paintings. Are you familiar with the work of Alex Shaefer, who paints CHASE BANK BRANCHES ON FIRE???
Awesome. Making soda bread a thing takes a southern touch. I'm sure there are bacon drippings in the improved recipe! I had never heard/seen the burning banks but that is great. From now on when I see a Chase Bank I will visualize the flames. I hope I can track down those paintings. The ones I remember were quite good. The use of pastels in a painting of nuclear plants was funny to me. A colorful Mayor helps immensely. After the last few years, the Mayor of Minneapolis who is under so much scrutiny has definitely lost his joy. Will your Mayor lose your support if he eliminates trash heaps?
Mark, hi. There seem to be three kinds of soda bread, all of which I explain in the AR exhibition called 'Soda Bread in Time and Space'. Northern Ireland has farl, a type of soda bread that resembles a thick pancake. Then there is the traditional form of soda bread, also called 'rustic' which is no nonsense; it is mean to be digestible and nutritious. A food born in poverty; flavor and sweetness were luxuries. Then we have "modern" soda bread which can contain anything the baker feels like adding: raisins, cranberries, almonds, etc.. Here is the video of the soda bread attacking tourists: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2JtzcdTU3w Finally, I am bringing the SBITAS AR exhibit to the front of Mary O's pub.SHe makes soda bread scones. Here is the second story ABC News did on her: https://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/yorks-mary-os-pub-wave-orders-80336700 onwARd! sb
Thank you Stephen. The interview was great. It seems you have become an amazing expert on soda bread. Thanks for taking the time to respond and explain.
Thanks for sharing this recipe! (Don't let it cool too much, as Irish butter melting on warm soda bread is a healthy narcotic; a natural mood elevator.)
Shedding light on unknown, unpopular music albums, books saturated in an ineffable spirit of darkness, science and open-mindness... That was the initial idea of my jaroslavnovosyolov.substack.com
Everyone is welcome to subscribe and support! I also have fiction writings to share with You. Their turn will come as well! :)
Great issue. I was an accountant for a very long time, and I think there is a space for some exciting books on accountants... 🤥😜 Maybe like an accountant that robs from the rich and give to the poor. Or an accountant who is also a street fighter. Come on Anne, daughter of an Accountant. It could be a miniseries. You got this! 😋😁
Great interview! I, too, lived in NYC when it was as warm and cuddly at the CBGB's bathroom. Hah. Love the floating bagels! I hope he finds success. And perfect segue with the tap water!
I was a research editor for a Hong Kong investment bank in the late nineteenth century. Su-Chzeng was our team leader.
I haven't bought Mr. Black's book but I did the "look inside" thing on Amazon and the audiobook is mentioned on the last page.
Singapore food is amazing! I spent a month there training with Su-Chzeng and I remember having entire conversations (over food) that were about nothing but food. That's never happened to me anywhere else.
Excellent issue. I especially commend your tying it all together with an NYC TAP WATER theme.
Lol you noticed! Thanks Meredith!
Greetings, Irish soda Bread fans!
I am on my big computer aand I do not have a computer ready version of my Good Loaf Soda Bread Recipe. However, out of the goodness of my heart, I am going to type in the recipe because I'm an Aries Rat and I do what I please. here's the recipe:
The Good Loaf’s
Irish Soda Bread
1 cup currants
½ cup Irish whiskey or hot water
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons chilled, unsalted butter,
Cut in small pieces
¾ cup buttermilk
Soak the currants in the liquid. Please use the whiskey, not plain water. Soak for as little as 30 minutes or as long as overnight.
Combine flours, sugar, soda and salt in a bowl, and blend
By hand or with an open whisk.
Flake butter into the dry mixture by hand until it forms thumbnail sized pieces.
Do not overwork the butter.
Stir in currants without the liquid until just incorporated.
(You can reserve the liquid for making irish Whiskey Butter)
Add buttermilk slowly, and pull dough together
With a wooden spoon or spatula.
When you are able to form into a round,
pat the dough together with your hands and
Move to a lightly floured surface. (Dust the board by flicking
The flour, using the motion of skipping a stone.)
Work the dough with your fingertips into a 6-inch round.
It should just hold together. Place dough on a greased
Or parchment covered baking sheet, and, with a knife, make
A ½ inch slash down the length of the dough
And another horizontally inthe form of a cross.
Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for about 30 m minutes
Until golden brown. Let cool for 30 minutes before slicing.
Adapted from The Bread Bible.
I wish I could remember the name of the chef who used to make this bread once a year for St. Patrick's Day. I know that she had a very serious stroke, and that for physical therapy, she used to haunt the gym at Hampshire Hills Athletic Club, and she continued to run this bakery. She also used to make a white chocolate and dried sour cherry scone which was to die for.
Thank you Therry! From a fellow ARIES RAT. We are the best!!!!
Foxtrot Alpha, sis! But you know who's worse? I'm also an Enneagram 8, nicknamed the CHALLENGER. Check out the Enneagram sometime if you feel that the unexamined. Life is not worth living. That'll give you pause!
Oh, big Enneagram fan over here! Seven with a 6W. Your combo sounds downright formidable. I'm a little jealous!
You should see my natal chart, you'd tremble before me, but I use it for good, I assure you. My wing is 7, srsly.
The letter from AL and your "Still, I got the general idea" cracked me up. Have come to look forward to your USP: great conversations with everyday yet extraordinary people. Mentally stimulating but also heartwarming and life-affirming!
Haha I had to look up USP, Courtney, but now I and enlightened. Thank you! And yes that is for sure what I'm aiming to do. So glad you are enjoying!
I love it!
After reading, there is certainly nothing more of a priority than getting floating everything bagels in my home. Amazing!
You will never be unhappy again.
Your priorities are in order🥯
You know, I haven’t missed NYC for a second, but yr Black story and flying bagels is sooooo NY!! And I miss that. I must find my own flying burritos here in NM!!
Oh wow—now I'm seeing a virtual NM flying burrito vs NYC flying bagel competition. I think we both know who would win...
Oh the Wild West will always win!!!
Ha! What a pleasure to read. I’m glad I found you. I’m an Australian in a Sydney but this is a pleasing slice of daily life in NYC.
Yay it's great to hear from Sydney. Thank you Sascha!!
I used to have a profane expression which your bagel thing brought back. It involves an impossible feat:
Taking a rolling fcuk thru a flying bagel.
It's what you'd tell a pest to go do. I wonder if the AR guy could create that on the iPhone.
In the metaverse ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!
Hi! I am the AR guy... We have the technology!
That’s an excellent profane expression!
Always a blast and impossible to predict what is simmering in your mind. My favorite part is the little flags identifying the key ingredients in his soda bread. My next door neighbor Wisconsin is always in a bragging mood pointing out their cheese, underage drinking and cranberry prowess. What the hell are cranberries doing in the soda bread??? My theory is not many people love raisins so cranberries are an upgrade. Mr. Black seems fascinating and a guy who you could give a prompt and his response could be just about anything!
I have an old colleague who liked to paint watercolors. His job was involved with nuclear power plants so he had an absurd array of paintings of nuclear plants. His real job versus his passion could not be more dissimilar. If I can find him (it's been years) I will figure out if he has a picture of RGE Ginna. Watercolors of nuclear plants is not a popular genre.
Your mayor, reverting to papa bear and counseling people to hydrate is just great.
Thanks Mark! The soda bread, Mr. Black told me, were created by one Susanna Johnson-Sharp, who has a degree in culinary science or something like that, and is a well-known chef in Natchez, Mississippi. So I suspect she knows what she's doing when it comes to the cranberries.
I would love to see your colleague's nuclear plant paintings. Are you familiar with the work of Alex Shaefer, who paints CHASE BANK BRANCHES ON FIRE???
https://boingboing.net/2017/04/29/artist-specialized-in-painting.html
And yes Mayor Adams truly is great. I keep worrying he might tone it down, but he does not.
Awesome. Making soda bread a thing takes a southern touch. I'm sure there are bacon drippings in the improved recipe! I had never heard/seen the burning banks but that is great. From now on when I see a Chase Bank I will visualize the flames. I hope I can track down those paintings. The ones I remember were quite good. The use of pastels in a painting of nuclear plants was funny to me. A colorful Mayor helps immensely. After the last few years, the Mayor of Minneapolis who is under so much scrutiny has definitely lost his joy. Will your Mayor lose your support if he eliminates trash heaps?
Mark, hi. There seem to be three kinds of soda bread, all of which I explain in the AR exhibition called 'Soda Bread in Time and Space'. Northern Ireland has farl, a type of soda bread that resembles a thick pancake. Then there is the traditional form of soda bread, also called 'rustic' which is no nonsense; it is mean to be digestible and nutritious. A food born in poverty; flavor and sweetness were luxuries. Then we have "modern" soda bread which can contain anything the baker feels like adding: raisins, cranberries, almonds, etc.. Here is the video of the soda bread attacking tourists: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2JtzcdTU3w Finally, I am bringing the SBITAS AR exhibit to the front of Mary O's pub.SHe makes soda bread scones. Here is the second story ABC News did on her: https://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/yorks-mary-os-pub-wave-orders-80336700 onwARd! sb
Thank you Stephen. The interview was great. It seems you have become an amazing expert on soda bread. Thanks for taking the time to respond and explain.
Thank you, Mark. Here is a glimpse into the sad history of soda bread and its relationship to the Gorta Mór; the Great Hunger. https://bookmerah.medium.com/irish-soda-bread-exhibition-at-maith-augmented-reality-harshest-reality-part-1-a378f21d4f34 As Anne mentioned, I am writing a piece that will be included with the exhibition, probably a free downloadable pamphlet.
And just so you don't miss it, here's the soda bread recipe from the Good Loaf in Milford NH.
The Good Loaf’s
Irish Soda Bread
1 cup currants
½ cup Irish whiskey or hot water
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons chilled, unsalted butter,
Cut in small pieces
¾ cup buttermilk
Soak the currants in the liquid. Please use the whiskey, not plain water. Soak for as little as 30 minutes or as long as overnight.
Combine flours, sugar, soda and salt in a bowl, and blend
By hand or with an open whisk.
Flake butter into the dry mixture by hand until it forms thumbnail sized pieces.
Do not overwork the butter.
Stir in currants without the liquid until just incorporated.
(You can reserve the liquid for making irish Whiskey Butter)
Add buttermilk slowly, and pull dough together
With a wooden spoon or spatula.
When you are able to form into a round,
pat the dough together with your hands and
Move to a lightly floured surface. (Dust the board by flicking
The flour, using the motion of skipping a stone.)
Work the dough with your fingertips into a 6-inch round.
It should just hold together. Place dough on a greased
Or parchment covered baking sheet, and, with a knife, make
A ½ inch slash down the length of the dough
And another horizontally inthe form of a cross.
Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for about 30 m minutes
Until golden brown. Let cool for 30 minutes before slicing.
Adapted from The Bread Bible.
Thanks for sharing this recipe! (Don't let it cool too much, as Irish butter melting on warm soda bread is a healthy narcotic; a natural mood elevator.)
Don't I know it! Especially if you've mixed the whiskey you soaked the currants in with some softened Kerrygold!
Plz be careful and watch those bagels closely I am being told they will unionize and rebel a la Toy Story except it’ll be called Bagel Story
No problem! There's nothing more fun than some in-house union busting.
Shedding light on unknown, unpopular music albums, books saturated in an ineffable spirit of darkness, science and open-mindness... That was the initial idea of my jaroslavnovosyolov.substack.com
Everyone is welcome to subscribe and support! I also have fiction writings to share with You. Their turn will come as well! :)
Great issue. I was an accountant for a very long time, and I think there is a space for some exciting books on accountants... 🤥😜 Maybe like an accountant that robs from the rich and give to the poor. Or an accountant who is also a street fighter. Come on Anne, daughter of an Accountant. It could be a miniseries. You got this! 😋😁
Thanks Nick! My dad DOES actually have some pretty funny stories. The street fighter could wear a green eyeshade!
Hellzzz yeah, she could wear green eyeshade! 💃
Will be responding from our BIG computer wit.h an awesome recipe for Soda Bread from the Good Loaf in Milford NH..
Oh boy! Looking forward! Thank you Therry!
You always deliver a delightful surprise.
Thank you.
Yay so happy you are enjoying. Thank you Drew!
The accountant's daughter! Love it. That would really be a best seller!
Looking forward to reading your first draft Sophia!
Great interview! I, too, lived in NYC when it was as warm and cuddly at the CBGB's bathroom. Hah. Love the floating bagels! I hope he finds success. And perfect segue with the tap water!
Thanks Jane! I never saw the inside of the bathroom and now of course the location is a fashion boutique.
OMG. Mirai Booth-Ong recorded the audiobook of "i ate tiong bahru".
I used to work for her mom!
Jeff that is NUTS. Also, how did miss the existence of an audiobook? Also, what did you do for her mom?
I was a research editor for a Hong Kong investment bank in the late nineteenth century. Su-Chzeng was our team leader.
I haven't bought Mr. Black's book but I did the "look inside" thing on Amazon and the audiobook is mentioned on the last page.
Singapore food is amazing! I spent a month there training with Su-Chzeng and I remember having entire conversations (over food) that were about nothing but food. That's never happened to me anywhere else.