Rosemary Rum Raisin Soda Bread with Pecans

Ingredients

• 0.5 cup raisins 
• 0.3 cup rum dark
• 0.3 cup rum dark
• 2 cups flour for dusting all-purpose
• 2 cups flour whole wheat
• 2 teaspoons baking soda 
• 1 teaspoon salt 
• 1 tablespoon rosemary leaves fresh finely chopped
• 0.5 cup pecans toasted roughly chopped
• 1.5 cups yogurt plain
• 1 tablespoon honey 
• 1 tablespoon milk 
• 0.8 teaspoon sesame seed (Sesame seeds or rolled oats are nice substitutes, if you're not an anise lover.)

Equipment

• bowl
• baking sheet
• sauce pan
• baking paper
• oven
• knife
• whisk
• mixing bowl
• wire rack
• toothpicks

Directions

1. Combine the rum and raisins in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Simmer for 30 seconds, then remove from heat. Cover and allow the raisins to macerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight.
2. When youre ready to bake the bread, preheat the oven to 375F.
3. Coat a baking sheet with olive oil and lightly dust it with flour, or line it with parchment paper.
4. In a large mixing bowl whisk together the flours, baking soda, salt, and rosemary. Stir in the toasted pecans.
5. In a separate bowl combine the raisins with the rum, the yogurt, and honey.
6. Add the wet ingredients to the dry.
7. Mix until the dough is too stiff to stir. Use your hands to bring it together in the bowl.
8. Add additional yogurt one teaspoon at a time if its too dry. You want a stiff, slightly tacky ball.
9. Turn dough onto a lightly floured board and shape into a round loaf. (Dont over-knead the dough. Too much kneading will produce a tough bread.).
10. Transfer the loaf to the prepared baking sheet. Use a sharp knife to make deep slashes across the top of the loaf, 4-6 cuts about half way through.
11. Brush the top with milk.
12. Sprinkle with seeds or oats if using.
13. Bake for 40-45 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. When you tap the loaf, it will sound hollow.
14. Cool on a wire rack.
15. Serve warm or at room temperature with a generous slather of butter.