Irish Tea Bread

  • 12 tbsp. strong tea
  • 1 lb. mixed dried fruit
  • 6 oz. soft brown sugar
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 oz. butter (melted)
  • 9 oz. all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp. bicarbonate of soda (don't worry about this -- it will be fine)

The mixed fruit can include raisins, currants, and any other kind of dried fruit you like; chop any larger pieces down to about raisin size. Place the tea, mixed fruit and sugar in a bowl; cover and leave overnight. Stir in the egg and melted butter. Sieve the flour and the bicarb together and fold them in. Line the bottom of a large loaf pan with baking parchment, and brush the whole inside of the pan with melted butter. Pour the mixture in and smooth the top. Bake in a preheated oven (360 F) on the middle shelf for 1 1/2 hours. After removing from the oven, leave in the pan for 2-3 minutes; then turn out of pan and cool on a wire rack.

  • Yields: 4 servings at the most
  • Preparation Time: about 2 hours