This week is a lucky week for you readers! I couldn’t control myself and have not one but TWO fantastic giveaways for you this week. The first one was the True Lemon giveaway, so make sure to enter that one. The second one, I just couldn’t resist. Nothing says St. Patrick’s Day more than a loaf of Irish Soda Bread, so that’s what we’re sharing today. And not just any Irish Soda Bread recipe, but one from the brand new “The Lodge Cast Iron Cookbook published by Oxmoor House. Scroll down and you can enter this weekend only giveaway!
Although I am a newbie to cooking in cast iron, it’s something that’s been around for MANY years and is now luring even more cooks, bought home cooks and restaurant chefs, to cook in cast iron. Lodge Manufacturing is the ONLY domestic manufacturer of the cast iron pan! Unbelievable that they’ve been making “America’s Original Cookware ™ ” since 1896. Well, what is better to accompany great cookware than a great cookbook to go with?
The Lodge Cast Iron Cookbook not only features 200 recipes and photographs from cookbook authors and chefs, but is a sort of scrapbook of memories for those sharing their recipes with us. Alongside most recipes is a small memory about the dish, who inspired it, and how long it’s been in their family.
You’d think cast iron is limited, but this book showcases the wide range of items you can cook and bake in it. Some chapters are: Breakfast, Cooking Outdoors, Cornbread (an entire chapter on it!), Desserts, Breads, and more. Today we’re baking in my cast iron skillet and it’s a delicious Irish Soda Bread!
Maggie Doherty was cookbook author Peggy Fallon’s mother, who swore by cast iron when it came to her soda bread.
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups raisins (preferably 1 cup
- each golden and dark raisins)
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°. Generously grease a 9-inch cast iron skillet with vegetable shortening.
- Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl; whisk gently to blend. Stir in the raisins to coat with the flour mixture. Make a well in the center and add the buttermilk and egg; stir until a stiff dough forms. (Use a wooden spoon if you must, but the most efficient way to mix this soft, sticky dough is with floured hands. Alternatively, the dough can be mixed in a heavy-duty stand mixer fitted with the dough hook.)
- Remove the dough from the bowl and mound it into the prepared skillet, roughly forming a round loaf. (Don’t be concerned that it won’t hold its shape; it will be corrected during baking.) Lightly moisten your hands with water to smooth the top. Using a serrated knife dipped in fl our, score the top with a large X, about 1?2-inch deep. (This will ensure even baking, and it will also scare away the devil, according to Peggy’s mother.) Bake until the loaf is golden brown with a firm crust and the bottom sounds hollow when tapped with a knife, about 1 hour.
- Remove the bread from the skillet and let cool on a wire rack at least 30 minutes before cutting into 1?2-inch-thick slices. Serve warm, at room temperature, or toasted, with or without butter.
Notes
Maggie Doherty’s Irish Soda Bread Reprinted with permission from Oxmoor House
Giveaway: Want to start cooking with Cast Iron?
Thanks to the generous folks over at Oxmoor House and Lodge, we have a great giveaway prize for one winner! You’ll receive a copy of The Lodge Cast Iron Cookbook and a 12-inch Cast Iron Skillet from Lodge. See below on how to enter.
How to Enter (please leave a separate comment for every action done.)
- Head on over to Lodge Manufacturing and tell me what other piece of cookware you’d love to have.
- Follow Lodge Cast Iron on Twitter
- Follow Cooking with Books on Twitter
- Follow Cooking with Books on Google Friend Connect
- Tweet the following message: Enter to win The Lodge Cast Iron Cookbook and 12 inch skillet via @nella22 and @LodgeCastIron! #giveaway http://bit.ly/A4DrUx
The comments are the official entry, there is no purchase necessary, void where prohibited. One (1) winner will be chosen randomly. Prize will be shipped by sponsoring company, US mailing addresses only. The contest ends Sunday March 18th, 2012 at 11:59 pm Eastern. The winner will be announced on Monday March 19th. This post is sponsored by Oxmoor House, and as always opinions are basely solely on my testing (and tasting!). No monetary compensation was received.
I saw this on the Martha Stewart show, now I am going to have to get myself the book and a lodge cast iron pan. Thanks for sharing!
I tweeted the giveaway.
(bourbonandbananas@gmail.com)
I like cooking with books on twitter
(bourbonandbananas@gmail.com)
I like lodge on twitter
(bourbonandbananas@gmail.com)
I’d love that square panini press and the pro-logic grill pan! Paninis!
(bourbonandbananas@gmail.com)
tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/winsome6/status/181559725702393859
I Follow Cooking with Books on Google Friend Connect as nightowl.
I Follow Cooking with Books on Twitter.
@winsome6
I Follow Lodge Cast Iron on Twitter.
@winsome6
I’d love to have the Lodge L Series Enamel Dutch Oven, 6 qt.
10-3/4″ dia., 4-3/4″ Depth n the Apple Green color.
winit6 at hotmail dot com
Tweeted about the giveaway!
On google connect!
Already following you
Followed them on twitter!
Have to say that I’ve never had Irish Soda Bread.Keep coming across so many recipes now-a-days of this bread.Have to try making it myself :)Love your giveaway!
The product I would like would be “Pro-Logic Wok with loop handles 14″dia.,
4-1/4″ depth”Looks fantastic!
https://twitter.com/#!/cmouse01/status/181474320189628416
I follow you (GFC)
I follow @nella22 on twitter (@cmouse01)
I would love to have the Lodge Logic 12 qt. Camp Dutch Oven, 16″ dia. We do a lot of campfire cooking when camping, and it’s really nice to have the lids with the flat tops so you can put coals on top! We also have a large group so the larger size would be great!
Ohhhh, I’d love to own the Lodge Color Enamel Covered Casserole! Any color will do. Blue if you must ask!
tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/maynekitty/status/181368667454439424
maynekitty [at] live [dot] com
Follow Cooking With Books on twitter @maynekitty
maynekitty [at] live [dot] com
follow Lodge Cast Iron on twitter @maynekitty
maynekitty [at] live [dot] com
I’d love to own the Lodge Color Enamel Covered Casserole in blue.
maynekitty [at] live [dot] com
I follow Lodge on twitter!
Would Love the panini press in red!
I follow you on GFC
I follow you on the Twitter
RT’d giveaway
I want the muffin pan! I can only imagine the great release on them once the seasoning’s right.
I’m cooking Irish Stew in my Lodge cast iron dutch oven right now! I follow you and Lodge
I tweeted the giveaway!
I follow you on GFC!
I follow you on Twitter!
I follow Lodge Cast Iron on Twitter!
I want that drop biscuit cast iron pan, I have been wanting one forever:-) Love your Irish Soda Bread!!! Hubby and I love making Irish Soda Bread, goes perfect with lamb stew! Hugs, Terra
I also retweeted the giveaway
also following you on google
and you as well
Now following them on twitter
Love the enamel covered casserole dish
Lodge Enamel Square Grill Pan – love it!
Sharylmk1@aol.com
Tweeted!
Now following Lodge Cast Iron on Twitter!
Fn giveaway! I’d love a camp Dutch oven
I tweeted the giveaway!
I follow lodge cast iron on twitter as cobblehillgal.
I follow you on twitter.
I would love to get the Lodge enamel cast iron apple pots. They are adorable and would be great for making mini baked goods.
I follow you on Google!
I Tweeted about the giveaway
Of course I follow you on Twitter! (That’s how we met!)
I follow Lodge on Twitter
What a fun giveaway! There is a WORLD of cast iron goodness out there, but I’d love to have the corn mold pan so that I could make adorable cornbread cakes
I now follow Lodge on Twitter, too.
I follow you on Twitter.
The Signature Series Covered Casserole would be a great addition to the Lodge pieces that I currently own. We love cooking in cast iron. Those pieces are timeless.
I twittered the message
I’d love a dutch oven to add to my collection of Lodge cast iron cookware
I follow Lodge on twitter
I’d love the 9 or 10″ skillet! Mine had to be relinquished to family members (long story), so I’ve been making it work without one. I’d LOVE to have another.
I tweeted about your contest
I’m following Cooking with Books on twitter @liasim
I’m following Lodge Cast Iron on twitte@liasim
I’d love to have the Lodge enamel covered casserole too!
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/saladgoddess/status/180846641035755520
Saladgoddess now following you on Twitter.
Saladgoddess now following Lodge on Twitter.
Love Lodge. I think I’ll choose the Lodge Logic Pro Reversible Grid/Iron Griddle. Or a Signature Series grill pan.
I am following Lodge Cast Iron on twitter.
I am following you on twitter.
I tweeted the message.
the dutch oven
i tweeted, but I don’t know how to copy the link.
I follow lodge on twitter
I follow you on twitter
I want the grill. Terra got me addicted to BBQ Pitmasters and all I can think about is grilling a brisket.
I would adore a Lodge 12″ skillet!
i have been wanting a dutch oven for so long and can not afford one ….
jacquieastemborski AT comcast DOT net
I want a Dutch Oven
https://twitter.com/#!/royalegacy/status/180815841741385728
royalegacy at gmail
GFC follower
royalegacy
royalegacy at gmail
I follow Cooking with Books on Twitter
@royalegacy
royalegacy at gmail
I follow Lodge Cast on Twitter
@royalegacy
royalegacy at gmail
At Lodge Maunfacturing, I would love to get the Straightsided Muffin Pan, a cornstick pan, the cactus pan, and the Lodge Logic 7 qt Dutch Oven with a glass cover
royalegacy at gmail dot com
The Irish Soda Bread is gorgeous. I am torn between the large oval server and a traditional skillet. This cookbook sounds/looks fantastic and I will put it on my wish list for Mother’s Day. So cool!
The Irish Soda Bread is gorgeous. I am torn between the large oval server and a traditional skillet. This cookbook sounds/looks fantastic and I will put it on my wish list for Mother’s Day. So cool!
I’d love to own a Lodge Logic Combo Cooker Part#: LCC3. I have a nice set of cast old cast iron that I love but this is deeper and the multi-use properties make it exceptionally cool!
I also Tweeted the comment you suggested.
I’m following you on Twitter! ~Lynn
http://twitter.com/#!/yourpotofgold/status/180784941976666113 yellow_patricia at hotmail dot com
I follow you on GFC. yellow_patricia at hotmail dot com
I follow you on twitter as yourpotofgold. yellow_patricia at hotmail dot com
I Follow Lodge Cast Iron on Twitter as yourpotofgold. yellow_patricia at hotmail dot com
I would love a griddle. yellow_patricia at hotmail dot com
I’m following on Google Friend Connect.
I tweeted the giveaway….https://twitter.com/#!/ScorpioGirl40
pammyl35@hotmail dot com
I’m following you on Twitter!
I’m following Lodge on Twitter!
I follow Cooking with Books on Twitter!
pammyl35@hotmail dot com
I need a new grill pan, but honestly all of the products are fantastic!
I follow Lodge Cast Iron on Twitter!
pammyl35@hotmail dot com
I would love to have the Lodge 7.5QT Enameled Dutch Oven in blue!! Such AMAZING Cookware…and will last forever!!!!
pammyl35@hotmail dot com
I’m following with Google Friend Connect (Lori Merrick).
I am following Lodge Logic on Twitter. @50andcrabby
I am following you on Twitter. @50andcrabby
Hubster got me a Lodge skillet for Christmas. I visited Lodge Logic’s shop, and what I really want and need is a lid for my skillet! And possibly a larger skillet to go with it.
Tweet! https://twitter.com/#!/PurpleLarkspur/status/180717649444081664
I Follow Cooking with Books on Twitter
I am @purplelarkspur
I follow via GFC
larkspurpurple (at) gmail.com
I would love to have an Enamel Skillet
larkspurpurple (at) gmail.com
I follow you on twitter @icywit
I have tons of Lodge castiron – love it all – but I’d like to try their new seasoned steel.
I follow you on twitter: ljskop
I follow Lodge Cast Iron on twitter: ljskop
I’d like one of their grill pans, particularly if it has a flat bottom, to work on one of the newer electric stoves.
I Follow Cooking with Books on Google Friend Connect
I would love to have the Lodge Logic Combo Cooker It’s a great multi purpose skillet.
I tweeted the giveaway
https://twitter.com/#!/fresh_plate/status/180675725467189248
I follow Cooking with Books on Twitter
I follow Lodge on Twitter
I would love to have a 7.5 qt Lodge cast iron dutch oven! So gorgeous!
I follow via Google, too.
I tweeted the giveaway! Fingers crossed!
I follow you, too! @elizaraxi
@elizaraxi I follow Lodge
I need another skillet to dedicate to baking (no more garlic and onion cake!). But I also think I’d like a camp dutch oven.
https://twitter.com/#!/savorthethyme/status/180668458890035200
gimme gimme gimme: Lodge Logic Skillet 10-1/4″ dia.
I follow you on twitter
OF COURSE!!!
I am following Lodge Cast Iron on twitter. YAY!!!! Love them!
Lodge Color Enamel Dutch Ovens, 7.5 qt. gimme gimme gimme
I am now following Lodge Cast Iron on Twitter.
A sizzleware skillet looks good.
I follow you via GFC.
cereza25 at yahoo dot com
I already follow you on Twitter @GoddessFoodie.
cereza25 at yahoo dot com
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/GoddessFoodie/status/180644178198401025
cereza25 at yahoo dot com
I follow Lodge on Twitter.
cereza25 at yahoo dot com
I love Lodge Cast Iron and have always wanted a corn stick pan.
cereza25 at yahoo dot com
And…last but not least, I followed you on GC (Can you tell I want to win? ; ) )
I tweeted : https://twitter.com/#!/MrsMeltaway/status/180640865583247361
I followed Lodge on twitter
I already follow you : )
On twitter, that is
I LOVE lodge! I saw their wok the other day and know that is the next piece I want!
I’m all for the 10″ cast iron skillet. Can you believe I don’t have one? :-/ So, yeah, that’d be my pick.