Soda Bread for St. Pat's

I've got lots of irish in me but I don't know from soda bread. It might be like breads in some other countries, varies by region, cities, or by families. I'll await other responses with you..

Well, here's a recipe from what seems an irish food site that does have raisins in it..

http://www.foodireland.com/recipes/Bakery/Irish_Soda_Bread.htm


I found a bunch with caraway and raisins, but there were from Good Housekeeping or some US source.

I love traditional Irish soda bread but I've never had it - or even seen it- with raisins. For me- that's the whole point of it - it has it's own unique flavour that isn't supposed to overly sweet. I also like the dense, sort of chewy texture (that's my favorite part) and I think anything added such as raisins or carrraway seeds would detract from that.

The simplicity is what I most like about soda bread. I tried to make it once, but couldn't replicate the texture - but I was able to find a market that carried it and I'd buy a loaf every few days and just eat a slice plain or with butter.

But if you like raisins - I'd put them in. Unless someone is a real purist (like I am ) I don't think they'd mind. In fact the rest of my family doesn't really like soda bread because it is so plain - so maybe adding raisins or carraway seeds would make it more appealing to more people.