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Irish Tea Loaf

Talking about authentic recipes is always a minefield, so apologies in advance.  And I realise 'authentic' is also a tricky concept.  However, I've had a handed down tea loaf recipe for ages but have noticed lately that it's somehow not as good as I remember it or my tastebuds have changed perhaps.  Mine is quite a simple one, without peel, spices, cream, butter etc which feature in the many hundreds of variations I've found.  I've tried a few I've found and find them took complicated or something.  I do actually prefer the simpler versions with fewer ingredients and 'twists'.
Anyway, it got me to wondering if anyone had an old Irish cookbook or a handed down recipe they'd kindly share.
Thanks.

Comments

  • DullGreyGuy
    DullGreyGuy Posts: 15,736 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    Have a handed down recipe for one somewhere but never tasted like I remember the one my gran used to make (whose recipe it is recorded). But she was blind as a bat and never measured anything so the measurements are one of her daughters estimating what their mum/my gran had put in. She was also one to wing it a little so whilst she'd say the recipe was fixed I've seen her make substitutions. Will post it if I come across it. 

    She did also used to do "Irish Stuffing" which was potato based, never got the recipe and it was another that the daughters didn't record well. 
  • I have a cookbook from the 70's (I collect them) and the recipe for 'Irish Brack' is pretty much as above apart from it doesn't include treacle (and I'm not sure about the spices)
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  • t33
    t33 Posts: 170 Forumite
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    Thanks for responses.  It seems we are all talking roughly the same basic ingredients (with some recipes having some frills).  I do prefer the basic, but am intrigued with the marmalade, I can see that being a nice addition for a variation and will give it a try. 
  • I was thinking the same about trying my nan's recipe with a drop of whiskey/brandy ;) 
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  • JIL
    JIL Posts: 8,794 Forumite
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    edited 3 February 2024 am29 2:19AM
    I have my fruit soaking in tea overnight with mixed dried fruit dated bb August 23. Maybe I should put alcohol in to kill any nasties.

    I have a no knead bread mix in a second bowl. The kitchen should smell nice tomorrow 
  • JIL
    JIL Posts: 8,794 Forumite
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    I know it's not tea loaf but I use this recipe often and it is very good. I just mix all ingredients together with a mixer, add the fruit and bake in a loaf tin for 50 mins.

    The see note was just a suggestion of fruit. Butter being cubed and sugar says brown gives a darker colour.


  • Thanks @JIL . The price of soft brown sugar (not demerara) is quite high atm, 50% above the low (have just checked on Trolley). Will stock up if it ever gets near the £3.40/kg mark.
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