Kiss me, I'm Irish!

And that's no blarney, neither :) Yet I confess we don't go all out for St. Patrick's Day. Maybe it's because March 17th falls so close to Ostara, the first day of spring -- a holiday we DO celebrate. Either way, my family and I wear our green, and we eat some sort of Irish inspired foods at our meals.

If you'd like a nice dinner idea, click here -- my Imbolc menu would make a lovely St Pat's feast.

This year we're very busy and so going quite simple -- that means cabbage & onions, along with "tatties in their jackets" (aka baked potatoes with the skins on). I'll roast a few carrots, too, and we'll have our traditional soda bread as always, along with a glass of Guiness, of course :)

Irish Soda Bread

WeightWatchers POINTS: 2

· 4 cups (1 pound) flour (I like whole wheat pastry flour)
· 1 teaspoon baking soda
· 1/4 teaspoon salt
· 1/2 to 3/4 pint of soured soymilk*

Mix dry ingredients together. *Add 1tsp white vinegar to 1 cup of soymilk and set aside for 5 minutes. Mix the soured milk with the rest of the ingredients and stir to form a loose dough. Place dough on a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth. Form into a round about 2 inches high and make a large X with a sharp knife in top of dough. Bake on a baking sheet misted w/oil at 375 degrees for 45 minutes. Makes 1 loaf, 8 servings.

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May the road rise up to meet ye, and the wind be always at your back!