HoneyBears & SydneyBeans: Irish Soda Bread and St Patrick’s Day Potato Pie

Where are we now?

I've still got to let you know

A house still doesn't make a home

Don't leave me here alone...

6 years ago today I found out my world was going to change. I found out I was pregnant with HBear.

1 year ago today my pregnant sister and her husband were here building the loftbed and spending St Patrick’s Day with us. 1 year ago today my Mom was in the hospital with a cold and her counts were down.

About a week after my Besty in Winnipeg got home from my Mom’s celebration of life, she found out her Dad had pancreatic cancer. He was allergic to the chemo so he has spent the past 8 months enjoying his life as best as possible.

Very early this morning he joined my Mom.

Rest in Peace Mr.D. Thank you for your greatest gift, your daughter. She has made such a profound impact on so many lives. You will live on in her and her 2 beautiful children. You will be missed. L.O.V.E

My Besty and I have had a ritual for, well forever, McCain’s chocolate cake. Every breakup, bad jacket day, the death of her brother… all the shitty things that happened got a McCain’s cake LOL

I looked everywhere in her small town for a courier service but apparently they don’t have one… so I called Safeway special requests department and got a cake delivered to her J Of course I had to buy flowers, but at least I got them to agree to a fruit basket LOL The kids will love it J

Today was St Patrick’s Day. As it was an emotional and sad day I didn’t go all out with a scavenger hunt or anything. We did, however, get together for an amazing “Irish” dinner.

My FIL made fall apart, super tasty beef short ribs. I dropped off 6 packages from our yummy cow J, my MIL made a wicked vegetable medley and I pitched in with a potato pie and Irish soda bread.

Irish Soda Bread
Adapted from The Midnight Baker

4 cups flour

1 tablespoons baking powder

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1 tablespoon caraway seeds

2 cups buttermilk

Preheat oven to 350.

Line a large baking sheet with parchment.

Rinse dried fruit in a strainer under hot water.

Place on paper towel to absorb excess water. (I forgot to do this)

In your standing mixer, add the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Use dough hook and mix dry ingredients for about 1 minute.

Add the fruit and caraway seeds.

With mixer running, add the buttermilk gradually--using only enough to form a soft dough (I had to use the whole 2 cups of buttermilk). Knead for 1 minute.

Turn out the dough on a well-floured surface and shape into 2 rounds and place on prepared baking sheet.

With a sharp knife, cut an "x" about 1/4-inch deep on each loaf. Sprinkle with additional flour if desired.

Not deep enough!

Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

St Patrick’s Day Potato Pie

Adapted from A Spicy Perspective

1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed

4 tablespoons butter

7 thick sliced bacon, chopped

4 large potatoes, peeled and sliced thin

1 onion, sliced thin

1 tablespoon fresh dill

1/2 cup heavy cream

Salt and Pepper

Preheat the oven to 350.

Place the thawed puff pastry in a 8-9 inch tart pan and crimp the edges. Remove the excess dough and piece it along the rim if needed to make the rim even in some places. Refrigerate the crust until ready to fill.

Place the butter and bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Sauté until the bacon is crispy then toss in the onions, followed by the potatoes and dill.

Season with salt and pepper. Gently stir for about 5 minutes, to mix the onions and potatoes and coat in fat. The potatoes don't need to be cooked through. Then spoon the mixture into the crust and drizzle with heavy cream.