As I wrote a couple days ago, if you have been reading my blog for any time (previous ones or this one), you know two things: I love Ireland and I love cooking. Put those two things together and I'm in my happy place. Well, friends, today I'm inviting you into my happy place.
For two and a half weeks this past summer, my family and I enjoyed exploring the beautiful country of Ireland. We traveled all around the country and touched most of the 32 counties in the tiny, yet gorgeous land. Whilst we were there, we stayed at a Bed and Breakfast tucked into a quaint little village in County Wicklow. We enjoyed a lovely home cooked breakfast each morning in the conservatory where we were surrounded by windows that held scenery fit for postcards for us to enjoy. One thing we ate every single morning was brown bread. We had never tasted that kind of bread before, but it was love at first bite. I am not a bread person, and I even LOVED this bread, so you know it must be something special!! {smiles}}
Immediately after eating one piece, I declared to my family that once we returned home I was going to set about to find the perfect recipe that tasted as close to the bread we were currently enjoying as possible. And, I am happy to announce I have finally done just that!! {{Cue the confetti!!}}
There is a secret to this bread that I learned as I was doing my research. You must use a special flour. In Ireland, there is apparently something known as "whole meal flour". But that doesn't exist here in the States. I read that in order to get the true brown bread flavor and texture you must use that flour. I looked and looked and couldn't find anything even similar to whole meal flour. I read that whole wheat flour will work, but you won't get the same result. I wanted the result!!
So, after doing a bit more searching, I discovered that King Arthur Flour sells something called "Irish-Style flour" and it's basically whole meal flour. We ordered a couple of bags, and I set to work on making our very own loaf of brown bread, and the following recipe is the result....Heaven, not only in flavor but in its scent and simplicity as well! ♥
Whilst my family and I were in Ireland earlier this year, on one of our stops at the grocery store there, we picked up a couple bags of their Wholemeal Flour, straight from Ireland. So, for our next so many loaves, it will be as authentic as it can get, even though I am baking it in my American kitchen. As I'm writing this, I am craving a piece slathered with good, Irish butter and some strawberry preserves, just like I had at the B& B! Yes, oh yes!
Brown Bread
Combine all of the following in a mixing bowl:
2 cups white, all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups Irish-style flour (or wholemeal flour)
1 tsp. baking soda
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
Gently mix with a wooden spoon. Then slowly stir in:
20 ounces buttermilk.
The consistency should resemble heavy, lumpy pancake batter. Pour into a greased bread pan and bake at 350*F for approximately 55 minutes, turning the oven off for the last 5 minutes.
Cool for about 10 minutes and then turn out onto a cooling rack and cool completely.
This bread is especially scrumptious served with good, Irish butter and fruit preserves.
Enjoy!!
♥