Irish Skillet Bread

The local news on TV last night covered the opening of The Loveland Ski area which was the earliest opening in more than 20 years. The sight of skiers on good snow accelerated my thoughts of recipes and entertaining themes that warm things when the snow is falling. One of the amazing things about living in the mountains of Colorado is that that there is seldom a day when we are snowed in, but a snowy day is one that starts well with a warm slice of Irish Skillet Bread and the morning coffee..

The Irish have a way with breads and our skillet bread recipe has more of a cake like texture than typical soda bread. Each has a place in our recipe file, but today with a light snow falling at our elevation, it is a Skillet Bread day.

Irish Skillet Bread

Ingredients:
3 cups all purpose flour
¾ cup sugar
3 tsp baking powder
¾ cup raisins
¼ cup butter (melted)
1 egg
1¾ cups milk

Preparation:

Step 1. Mix all dry ingredients with the raisins
Step 2. Beat egg with milk and add to dry mixture beating lightly until mixed
Step 3. Stir in melted butter
Step 4. Place in iron skillet and bake in oven for 1 hour at 300 degrees

Served with an assortment of jams and coffee it will be a perfect start on a chilly morning.

Checking the condition of boots and snowshoes is a worthwhile activity on a day like today. There will be serious snow soon and it is important to be ready to make it to the dinner parties that accompany the season. Snow is no excuse for not entertaining. In the mountains if you are having party and it snows on the day –keep cooking - everyone will show up. Flatlanders on the guest list might have trepidations but the high country folks don’t think twice.

Afterthought: When the Phillies show up in Denver to play the Rockies on Saturday I think I’ll send some warm Irish Skillet Bread to their locker room. There may be weather conditions in which the “Boys of Summer” did not expect to be playing baseball.