The McCarthy Irish Bread

Well, this is a first at BPR: we're featuring a recipe! We kept thinking about the Irish Bread served by the darling Peggy McCarthy at the EMC2 boutique when we visited Emmett McCarthy back in March during the Blogging Project Runway Tour. It was delicious and irresistible, served with orange marmalade. We asked for the recipe and she was happy to share with our readers.

Irish Bread by Peggy McCarthy

Prep: Grease 8 or 9 inch pan (Peggy uses her iron frying pan)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees

· 4 Tablespoons Margarine
· 4 Cups Flour
· 2 Tablespoons Sugar
· 5 Teaspoons Baking Powder
· 1 Egg, Beaten
· 1 Teaspoon Salt
· 1 Tablespoon Caraway Seeds
· 1 Cup Raisins
· About 2 Cups of Milk

Cream margarine and sugar then add the egg. In another bowl combine flour, baking powder, salt, caraway seeds and raisins. Alternate adding the flour mixture and the milk to the creamed mixture just until the batter cleans the bowl (you might not add all of the milk before this happens). Dip hands in flour, gather up the batter and place in prepared pan. Cut a cross in the center with a sharp knife. Optional: brush with egg or milk and sprinkle 1 teaspoon sugar on top. Bake for about 50 minutes.

Thanks Peggy and Emmett for passing this along. Tasting this is like being on the BPR tour and remembering your hospitality.