Irish Potato Bread

Of all the places I have travelled, Ireland was my second favorite. (My first being Scotland)

Ireland is so amazingly beautiful, the people are so friendly, and the culture is easy to love.

I know one day I will make my way back there.

Until then....

I will make dishes, like this crunchy-on-the-outside-soft-on-the-inside potato bread to remind me of Ireland. I was inspired to make this recipe after reading something similar in my Irish Cooking cookbook. This would be perfect served alongside some corned beef and cabbage OR some hearty potato soup.

Irish Potato Bread

(inspired by Irish Cooking cookbook)

Ingredients

3/4 cup cooked, mashed potato

3/4 cup raw, grated potato

1 egg

1 egg white

1/3 cup oil

3/4 cup milk

2 Tbsp chives, diced

1 tsp caraway seeds (or you can use sesame seeds)

3 cups flour

1/4 cup whole wheat flour

1 1/2 Tbsp baking powder

1 tsp sea salt

Directions

Preheat oven to 375. Lightly oil an 8 inch cast iron pan or spray with cooking spray. Set aside.

Mix the mashed potato with the grated potato. Stir in egg, egg white, oil, and milk until well combined.

In another bowl, stir together chives, caraway seeds, flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, and salt.

Stir dry ingredients into wet ingredients until a soft dough forms.

Lightly flour a work surface. Turn the dough out onto the flour and knead 6 - 7 times. Place dough into center of prepared cast iron pan and gently press into an 8 inch circle. Use a sharp knife to cut an "X" into the top.

As you can see, I cut a star into the top instead of just an "X". Either works fine!

Bake at 375 for about 45 - 55 minutes. It should be nicely browned and sound hollow when tapped.

Remove from oven and let sit on wire rack for 5 minutes before removing from pan. Let cool for at least an hour before slicing. or it will be rather crumbly to cut.

Simple yet looks so impressive.

Oh...yes.....it tastes AMAZING too. When I made a second loaf I threw in 1/2 cup of shredded Mozza cheese and it was crazy good.

It can be a little hard to tell when it is completely cooked. If in doubt...leave it in a few minutes longer. If, perchance, you remove it before it is not completely cooked through.

Don't panic.

I've been there....done that...

What I do if this happens is slice the bread and toast it before serving it. Irish Potato Bread toast is just as tasty!

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