Grandma's Irish Soda Bread

Grandma wasn't kidding when she said she believed we had a wee bit of Irish in us. Turned out, my DNA evaluation showed proof of the family tale. Gram with her gift of storytelling and cooking drew family members together. Nothing was better than Gram's bread. The smell of warm bread embodies LOVE.

Gram had a sweet tooth and loved breads. She would often toss a few raisins into her Irish Soda Bread, shhhh.... don't tell anyone. We all love Gram's breads and she would serve Irish Soda Bread with "Boiled Dinner". Corned beef (or ham, depending on the guests) with potatoes, carrots, parsnips, onion and cabbage. The bread would be used to sop up the delicious, savory broth. I preferred my slice of warm bread with  butter.

Any leftover Irish Soda Bread was turned into French toast the next morning.

TRADITIONAL IRISH SODA BREAD

INGREDIENTS

• 4 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 3/4 cups buttermilk

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt. Gradually stir in the buttermilk until the dough comes together in a slightly sticky ball.
3. Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead gently a few times. Form the dough into a ball and then press into the prepared pan so that the dough resembles a large disk. The dough should reach the edges of the pan, but may spring back slightly.
4. Cut an X into the dough with a sharp knife, about 1/4 of an inch deep. Cover the pan of dough with another round cake pan turned upside down.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes, covered, then remove the top pan and bake uncovered for about 10 minutes more or until the crust is dark golden brown.

A little Irish Soda Bread history:

I want to give you just a few interesting facts about Irish Soda Bread.  Don’t worry I won’t bore you it’s only a few!

• The cross that is slashed into the dough before baking was made to ward off devils and protect the house.  It also helps the center of the bread bake all the way through, so it’s very important not to skip that step!
• During the mid 1800s the Irish were making so much soda bread that baking soda almost doubled in price!
• Soda bread was served as an inexpensive way to put bread on the table.
• Real soda bread should only contain 4 ingredients: flour, buttermilk, salt, and of course baking soda.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patty's!

 I did an Ancestory.com DNA thing and participate in a DNA research project funded by the Smithsonian. During the research, I found out I have a wee bit of Irish in my blood. This is my first St. Patty's Day with that info. Yay! Kiss me, I'm Irish!

Have a wonderful day, friends and be sure to find a little romance.

Maple Syrup for Your Honey

It's almost Maple Syrup Season! Nothing beats a romantic morning with your honey than pure maple syrup over a batch of hot French toast or pancakes.

According to Michigan Farmers' Market Association, there are different grades of Michigan farmers market fresh maple syrup. While they are all delicious, different grades are best for different purposes. 

Grade A maple syrup is lighter and more delicately flavored, making it perfect for topping your pancakes or other treats. 

Grade B Michigan Maple Syrup 

Grade B maple syrup is stronger in caramel flavor and great for baking. This is a darker syrup with a more robust flavor and scent. 

Visit the the Made In Michigan Store for products

Follow these food safety tips to enjoy your farmers market fresh maple syrup:

• Store pure maple syrup in the refrigerator – even if the bottle has not been opened.
• Pure maple syrup in glass or tin containers may be stored in the refrigerator for up to one year.

Use syrup stored in plastic containers within three to six months.

Monday Mojo - Dry Skin? Try this!

Winter leads to suffering dry skin. Here is an interesting "treatment" I found.

  Sperm is good for the skin

The proteins in sperm have a tightening effect on the skin. When sperm is left to dry, the evaporation of the water in it leaves behind protein which can help to reduce wrinkles. While this may be an excellent anti-aging treatment, the obvious downside is that you have to walk around with sperm on your face.

I think I'll continue using Olay.

Love Knot is FREE for Read an Ebook Week

I'm participating in READ AN EBOOK WEEK to promote more reading! Whether it be holding a printed book or a kindle, it counts as reading. The first week of March has been set aside for publishers and authors to promote the advantages of reading digitally and encourage readers to give it a try.

I'm offering a sexy St. Patty's Day romance for FREE!

Mimi Cates is an artist who lives over the coffee shop she owns. Content with her life, she won't allow herself to become to close with her sexy, wanderlust neighbor, despite what her heart tells her.

Irishman, Robbie Mac Donnell never wanted to stay in one place very long. His job as a scientist allowed him to travel the world without ever making permanent ties to anyone. However, when he finds the perfect person and the perfect place to settle down, he's not sure if she'll believe him.

****

“Well... you're a sight for sore eyes!” Mimi grinned as the sight of her long-lost friend thrilled her senses.

Dressed in black jeans, black boots and black tank under a plaid shirt with hunky muscles peeking out; hot enough to make any woman with a pulse drool. His reddish blonde hair fashioned in the usual mess as if he just crawled out of bed. Dark brows arched over beautiful green eyes and those lips...so kissable.

Without saying a word, Robbie placed a box he carried as well as a highly polished apple onto the table and walked towards her. His hand slipped under her hair to cup the base of her head, while his other arm circled around her. When his lips came down on hers, Mimi had to grab onto him to keep from falling over in surprise.

Not a sweet kiss of friendship but an obvious promise of decadent pleasure. With a tilt of his head, Robbie took the kiss deeper. The scent of milled soap and masculinity made her heady. She could barely remember the last time he kissed her, not that she complained at the moment. Robbie slowly pulled away, tugging at her lip with his teeth as he did.

“Ah... welcome home?” She choked on the words.

AVAILABLE FREE!

SMASHWORDS

KOBO

BOOKTOPIA

May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.

Thursday 13 - St. Patty's (non-diet) Treats

With St. Patrick's Day coming up and being on a diet I thought I'd list my favorite St. Patty treats that I will miss enjoying this year.

1.  Shamrock Cookies.

2. Chocolate-Irish Cream Cheesecake.   Get the recipe.

3. Irish Black Bun Shamrock Cookies.   Get the recipe. 

4. Irish Chocolate Ice Cream (You add a cup of Irish whiskey to chocolate ice cream.  Yeah, baby!)

5. Shamrock Milkshake Cupcakes.

6. Black & White Irish Cream Cupcakes.  Get the recipe. 

7. Chocolate Stout Shake.  (Chocolate stout beer + choc. fudge + vanilla bean ice cream + milk = YUMMY!)

8. Toffee-Coffee Brownies.  Get the recipe.

9.  St. Patty Cupcakes with green M&Ms

10. Dublin Eggnog.  (Eggnog + double-strength coffee + 6oz of Irish whiskey= wide awake fun)

11. Green beer.  I don't usually drink beer but thought I'd better put it on my list any ways.

12.  Rainbow Cupcakes. This recipe is so cool.  Check it out.

13. Toffee Shortbread.  Ah... buttery shortbread, a layer of toffee with chocolate topping.  Sigh.  A favorite sweet among families in Ireland.  Get the recipe. 

If you've been paying attention, you'll notice McDonald's shamrock shake is not on my list.  That's because I've already had two.  Oops.

Time to curl up with a hot St. Patrick's Day romance. 

I'm offering Love Knot FREE 

GET IT NOW

SMASHWORDS

KOBO

BOOKTOPIA

Mimi Cates is an artist who lives over the coffee shop she owns. Content with her life, she won't allow herself to become to close with her sexy, wanderlust neighbor, despite what her heart tells her.

Irishman, Robbie Mac Donnell never wanted to stay in one place very long. His job as a scientist allowed him to travel the world without ever making permanent ties to anyone. However, when he finds the perfect person and the perfect place to settle down, he's not sure if she'll believe him. 

*************************************

Check out more amazing Thursday 13 lists HERE

Chocolate, Cheesecake and Bailey's!

 

I love cheesecake and chocolate. For St. Patty's Day, I found a sexy cheesecake recipe using Bailey's Irish Cream, is made with a chocolate crust and a has creamy chocolate filling. It's from Ali Martin, over at Gimme Some Oven. 

This decadent dessert is time consuming to make, but if you're like me you'll find the time spent is relaxing. Pop on some good tunes and let's get baking!

Chocolate-Irish Cream Cheesecake

•  prep time: 15 MINUTES
 
•  cook time: 70 MINUTES
 
•  total time: 85 MINUTES
 
•  yield: 12 -16 SLICES 

CRUST INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 cups chocolate graham cracker (or chocolate cookie) crumbs
• 1/3 cup powdered (confectioner’s) sugar
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup (half a stick) butter, melted

CHEESECAKE INGREDIENTS:

• 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened (I used 1/3 less fat)
• 1 1/4 cups white sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup Bailey’s (or other Irish cream liqueur)

CHOCOLATE GANACHE INGREDIENTS (OPTIONAL):

• 1/2 cup heavy cream (or half and half)
• 4 ounces dark chocolate

INSTRUCTIONS

1. * Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, mix together the cookie crumbs, confectioners’ sugar and 1/3 cup cocoa. Add melted butter and stir until well mixed. Pat into the bottom of a 9-inch well-greased springform pan. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes; set aside. Increase oven temperature to 450 degrees.
2. * In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, white sugar, 1/4 cup cocoa and flour. Beat at medium speed until blended and smooth. (Try not to over-mix!) Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Blend in the sour cream and Irish cream liqueur; mixing on low speed until blended. Pour filling over baked crust.
3. * Optional: To prevent cracking in the cheesecake, I’m a big fan of water baths! Just fill a 9×13 (or whatever size) glass pan halfway with water, and place it on the bottom rack while the oven preheats, and then while the cheesecake cooks.
4. * Place the cheesecake in the oven on the shelf above the water bath, and bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 250 degrees, and continue baking for 60 minutes.
5. * With a knife, loosen cake from rim of pan. Let cool, then remove the rim of pan. Chill for a few hours before serving.
6. * Optional: To prepare the ganache, place the chocolate chips in a bowl. Then heat the cream (or half and half) in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until it is almost boiling.
7.  Remove from heat, and pour over the chocolate chips and let sit for 30 seconds. Then stir until the chocolate chips have melted and are mixed in well. Pour over the top of the cheesecake, and sprinkle with chocolate chips or chocolate shavings if you’d like.

Monday Mojo - How About a Cupa Joe?

Some of us can't even be near another human if we don't have our morning cup of coffee. 

Did you know there are various studies around the world 

investigating the effects of the hot beverage on sexuality?

One study say's it makes for bad sex. 

Maybe that's because you need that cup before you partake in a am romp.

Most of the studies I saw, spoke of the increase of desire, libido, stamina, enhancing performance, etc.

 The key is when to consume caffeine and the right amount. 

The best advise is to consume a cup a half an hour before activity.

 

On another note....
Green Beans Coffee is offering a pretty cool deal.

Anyone Can Send His or Her Own Special Message of Thanks to a Service Member

Serving Far From Home With a CUP OF JOE FOR A JOE.

More than 65 cafes throughout the Middle East, Africa, Southwest Asia and North America, Green Beans Coffee has provided a welcomed moment of respite where deployed services members can relax, enjoy premium coffees, teas and fresh baked pastries, hear great music and for a few minutes, escape into a peaceful oasis of tranquility that brings a little bit of home with every cup of coffee served.

With CUP OF JOE FOR A JOE, Green Beans Coffee is giving everyone an opportunity to express their support for our men and women in uniform through the simple act of buying a cup of premium coffee and having it delivered along with their own personalized message of thanks to a serviceman serving overseas.

Visit www.greenbeanscoffee.com and brighten the day by sending a little bit of home to a serviceman deployed overseas.

Author Talk With KT Egan

 

Personal writing has become quiet popular over the last year. More people are picking up reading as a hobby and fans are reaching out to their favorite authors. YA Romance Author KT Egan stopped by today to chat with us about being a writer.

 

I’ve taught several writing classes over the years and the most common question is regarding how an author begins and evolves. Tell us about your career in a nutshell.

KT: I’ve been writing since I was five years old. My parents were both avid readers and they had always been super supportive of me following my dreams. I have one book published and one that will be published next May.

 

I’m normally a smut miser but do enjoy any good romance. All You Hold On To is one of my favorites. I look forward to your next book. Tell us about what you write.

KT: I write contemporary romance, mainly for YA and NA audiences. I don’t think I could ever write historical fiction – I studied history and literature in parallel in college and I loved it but I don’t have the passion for historical fiction the way I do for other things.

 

Do you have a special place you like to write or any quirks when it comes to writing?

KT: Not really…I’m more of a ‘need to write while I’m inspired’ type of writer. I can write anywhere as long as I have some background noise.

 

I always have to have my tunes playing when I write. I find a lot of fans enjoy authors plays lists. Do you ever get to meet your readers?

KT: I haven’t had the chance due to the pandemic…but I’m really excited to be able to get the chance in the future.

 

I’m sure that will happen. I look forward to catching up with you at writers/readers conv. It’s great fun chatting with readers in person. I’m sure you catch up with everyone via the net tho. What is a question most people ask you?

KT: Where did I get the inspiration for the plot of the series.

 

We’ll save that answer for the interview in May. *wink, wink* What is the strangest thing you’ve Goggled while working on a story?

KT: I once Googled about eight different can designs for Folger’s coffee cans – it was a very miniscule detail to the story I was working on but something I was determined to get right.

 

They say (I’m not sure who THEY are) that good writers are good readers. What is on your TBR pile right now?

KT: A ton of ARCs from some really awesome authors, and Tinder Fella by Jennifer L. Schiff

 

Are you a daydreamer?

KT: I think that, to be a good author, you need to be a daydreamer. You need to find yourself getting lost in your head, at least every once in a while. And for me, that does seem to happen a lot – maybe a little bit more than I would wish for.

 

So true. Now to get a little silly…If we were to take a sneak peak in your purse, what would we find?

KT: Some dairy digestive pills, a ton of handsanitizer, and at least three tubes of lipstick.

 

FUN STUFF:

EBooks or Print? EBooks

Wine or beer? Neither – I’m not much of a drinker

Coffee or tea? Tea

Chocolate or vanilla? Vanilla

What is your biggest “girlish” vice? (Nails, shopping, chick flicks?) I need to have my nails done constantly.

Romantic dinner at home or dinner out? Dinner out

What is your favorite flavor or ice cream? Strawberry or vanilla

 

Thanks for joining us today, KT! 

 

Connect with KT Egan:

INSTAGRAM

TWITTER

FACEBOOK

GOODREADS

 

Make sure to check out her book, All You Hold On To.

BUY NOW ON AMAZON

Aspiring author Roxanne Wortham lives a comfortable life in Las Vegas. She spends her days at her nine-to-five job and comes home to her boyfriend, Ethan, and an unfinished novel that she can’t seem to crack. Her life is simple— that is, until she gets a phone call saying that her childhood best friend and ex-boyfriend, Maverick Sterling, has been in a near-fatal car crash.

As Roxanne discovers that she still has power of attorney over his affairs, she places her life on hold and rushes to Maverick’s side in Scranton, Pennsylvania. While helping him to recover, memories of childhood and old relationships resurface, making it difficult for Roxanne to balance her new life with her old one. Roxanne is left to sort through complicated feelings from her past alongside the realization that Maverick may still have feelings for her— and even worse, she may still have feelings for him, too.