Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Happy St.Patrick's Day and Welcome Spring




Hi everyone. Boy, what a long winter. But it looks like there's an end in sight and buds will be popping and birds will be chirping before you know it. Bill and I have just returned from a much needed vacation in Florida. I even got to go to Harry Potter World at Universal Studios. Felt like a kid again.

But now we are back at the Inn and ready to get back to work. We have so much going on for this year and we are very excited to see you all again. We put our order in for some more livestock. We ordered 25 more chickens, 6 ducks and 4 geese. You might say that we've let the inn go to the birds. (smile) We also started getting our seeds for our all organic garden. We are attempting to be as organic as possible this year as well as doing our best to reduce our carbon footprint in the way we run the inn.

As always, there is lots to do in the Warwick Valley as Spring approaches. The wineries are in full swing. The shops are full of new spring items. And the restaurants are gearing up with delicious menus to tempt any palate. There are also many places to hike and bike and see how nature is revitalizing the countryside with new plant and tree growth.

Here at the Inn at Stony Creek, we are working hard to get the addition done and we are planning all sorts of new menus for breakfast. Don't forget our weekend seminars (see last months post) and please don't forget us if you are planning your wedding this summer.

Now its time for a new recipe. This is just in time for St. Pat's Day. It is my family recipe for Irish Soda Bread. It is a great recipe and sooooooooo good.

Irish Soda Bread

2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
4 tblsp. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. caraway seeds
3 tblsp. shortening or margarine
1 cup buttermilk or sour milk (add 1 tsp white vinegar to milk for 5 min. to sour milk)
2/3 cup raisins
1 tblsp. melted butter
1 tsp. cinnamon

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease 8 or 9 inch round pan.
Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and 3 tbsp. sugar. Add shortening and cut into flour mixture until mixture is crumbly. Make a well in center of flour mixture and pour in milk and raisins. Mix well.
Turn onto a flour surface and knead a few times. Shape into a ball and place in the prepared pan. Cut a large x into the top of the ball.
Brush top with melted butter and sprinkle with remaining tblsp. of sugar and cinnamon.
Bake 35 to 45 min. until brown.

Served warm with butter, it is heavenly. Good luck.

Next time I will have more of what we will be doing at the Inn this spring and I will have some great recipes for Easter goodies.

So until then, this is Joe and Bill wishing you a Happy St. Patrick's Day and a very Happy Spring to you all.

No comments: