Family Gathering for St Patrick's Day with an Awesome (Healthier) Soda Bread

This post is a bit delayed -- we've been having guests over for dinner EVERY SINGLE NIGHT since Saturday, and there was simply not enough time left for blogging besides all the lab stuff and fun gatherings. But I'm ready to share the party that kick-started everything -- the family gathering to celebrate St Patrick's Day. D's got some real Irish blood in his vein, have lived in Ireland, loves a real Guinness and has a harp tattoo on his back -- in case you are wondering why we were so eager and had the celebration party way before actual day and the parade! Our guests were awesome -- they spread green and joy everywhere in our loft. 

Together we shared corned a great time over black velvet, green hummus, beef and cabbage, Irish flag oven fries, almond butter coconut cookies, and this Irish soda bread.

First, our very professional mixologist fixed us some black velvet, which is half champaign and half Guinness.

We munched on some finger foods including crackers and green hummus,

and some oven fries that takes the color from the Irish flag. (It always amazes me how N could take beautiful pictures with her phone!)

The dinner plate (first round) looked like this:

which was "Slammin!" if you ask the twins (photo credit: N)

Everything was yummy, especially the soda bread. It was so good that we made a second loaf the next day, and it still managed to disappear by midnight!

It was surprisingly simple to make (compared to most bread).

First you mix up the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda).

Then you take another bowl and mix together some greek yogurt and eggs.

The natural next step would be mixing the wet and dry.

The actual goodies (pre-soaked currants or raisins, and caraway seeds) that makes a soda bread interesting are thrown in next.

Fold everything together to form a good-looking dough.

It already seems yummy, doesn't it?

Pop-it in the oven and before you know it, your kitchen will smell wonderful.

Healthier Irish Soda Bread

serves 8

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 cups plain greek yogurt
• 2 large eggs (free-range ones really make a difference)
• 3/4 cups of raisins (I plumped them up by soaking them in hot water for 10 minutes -- it makes the bread a bit more moist)
• 2 Tbsp caraway seeds (give or take basing on your taste)

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix the first 6 ingredients in a bowl.
3. Mix the greek yogurt and eggs in a separate bowl and add to the first bowl. Mix well.
4. Fold in the raisins and caraway seeds. Shape the dough to fit into a springform pan or a pie dish.
5. Bake for about 45 minutes.