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