Irish Cheddar & Bacon Soda Bread



I always make an annual Irish soda bread with caraway seeds and raisins, but this year I decided to mix it up and make Homesick Texan's Cheddar and Bacon version. You can't ever go wrong w/ cheese and bacon.

The recipe calls for using Irish bacon and Irish cheddar cheese, however, I had good old Oscar Meyer and a block of NY State white sharp cheddar, so maybe we can call this the NY Oscar version of Irish soda bread. It doesn't matter the cheese, as long as you don't use that yellow shredded stuff in the bag.

There is no yeast in this bread, so no waiting for the rising, it provides instant gratification.

A hunk of this is like a lead biscuit.

I loved it best warm with a schmear of Kerry Gold Irish butter (salted, please).



Irish Cheddar & Bacon Soda Bread (adapted from Homesick Texan):

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
6 ounces cooked Irish bacon (Canadian or Oscar Meyer is fine)
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 cup grated Irish cheddar (8 ounces)
4 green onions or scallions, chopped, green part only
1 1/2 cups buttermilk

Preheat the oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a skillet on medium-low heat, warm up the oil. Add the Irish bacon to the skillet (omit the oil if using regular bacon), and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side. Remove from the skillet and chop the bacon.

In a large bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, kosher salt, granulated sugar, Irish cheddar, chopped Irish bacon and green onions until well blended. Pour in the buttermilk and mix until the dough comes together. It is easier if you just use your hands to form the dough.



Form the dough into a round loaf and place on the baking sheet.



With a sharp knife, cut a cross into the top. Bake for 40 minutes or until the loaf is lightly browned and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.



Serve warm.

Have a happy St. Patrick's Day and enjoy!



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Comments

Susan said…
Hi Stacey,
I tried to email you with no luck. Planning a trip to Paris and wondered if you could give a recommendation on the apt. where you stayed in Paris and in Provence. Love your blog!
Thanks, Susan
Stacey snacks said…
Susan
You can email me via my profile
Antiquesinsummit at aol.com. And I will email u some Paris info. Dtacey
Ciao Chow Linda said…
I don't know Stacey - It looks yummy, but that comment about being a "lead biscuit" has me wondering.....
Stacey Snacks said…
Linda,
I think most Irish bread tastes like lead, very dense and heavy (except my original recipe with the lemon juice and skim milk substitute).

This was delicious, but very dense, like a cheese biscuit.
Anonymous said…
I'm partial to that leaden quality - that's why I like scones, too! Unfortunately, too much of this stuff leads (!) to the dreaded lead belly complaint, which sometimes progresses to the even more dreaded lead bottom syndrome! My favorite mixing bowl makes a cameo appearance.
The JR said…
looks good

luv your splatter bowl
Joanne said…
I NEVER crave Irish soda bread...until now! WHat have you done to me!
It looks like a giant scone, crunchy on top and dense in the middle, a hunk of that and I'll need a nap! Bring it on!