Lots of it’s possible you’ll be unfamiliar with tea brack, however, it’s in style in Ireland. A candy and but savory bread, it’s just like fruit cake however a little bit lighter and the dried fruits are soaked in tea so that they grow to be all plump and juicy.
It’s additionally relatively simple to make — it’s only a case of weighing up the components, stirring them collectively and baking. I like making this within the night or on a Saturday morning when I’ve a little bit of time to myself; the smells of baking wafting round the home at all times convey instantaneous pleasure. Apart from, understanding there’s one thing scrumptious to have with a cup of tea or espresso is at all times an excellent factor.
Although it’s pretty with just a bit good butter unfold on it, yesterday I made a batch of rhubarb jam, which might be heaven on prime. To make your individual, place 700g of chopped rhubarb, 500g jam sugar, the juice of 1 lemon and 30g crystallised ginger (or one tablespoon of grated recent ginger) into a big pan, toss properly and go away to marinate for a few hours.
Then place the pan over a medium warmth and stir every little thing till the sugar is dissolved. Scale back the warmth to low and proceed to prepare dinner for 20 minutes. After this, take away from the warmth and let the jam cool fully earlier than ladling it into sterilised jars. In the event you run out of brack, it’s stunning on a slice of toast at breakfast.
Irish Tea Brack
Makes: 1 tea brack, serves 10
Prep time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 1 hour
Serve with: a cup of tea or coffee.
Ingredients
- 350g combined dried fruit (raisins, golden raisins and currants)
- 250ml cold tea
- 125g caster sugar
- 1 egg, beaten
- 250g flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp allspice, or ground cinnamon or nutmeg
Methodology
1. Preheat the oven to 180C/Gas Mark 4.
2. Place the dried fruit in a bowl and canopy with the cold tea. Depart to soak for 3 to 4 hours.
3. Place the sugar and egg in a bowl and beat collectively till mild and fluffy. Sieve within the flour, baking powder, and spice, and blend every little thing collectively.
4. Pour the soaked fruits and any remaining tea into the bowl and blend collectively properly. Switch right into a greased 2lb loaf tin and bake within the preheated oven for an hour.
5. Afterwards, enable the tea brack to cool on a wire rack. When you’re prepared, put the kettle on.