Happy Sunday all!Its also St. Patrick's Day, so today I'm...

Happy Sunday all!

Its also St. Patrick's Day, so today I'm offering up my favorite soda bread recipe.
IRISH SODA BREAD

Ingredients:

4 to 4 1/2 cups flour
1 Tbsp sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
4 Tbsp butter
1 cup raisins
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 3/4 cups buttermilk

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.

2. Whisk together 4 cups of flour, the sugar, salt, and baking soda into a large mixing bowl.

3. Cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse meal, then add in the currants or raisins. I use a pastry blender, but you can also pulse it in a food processor or even use two knives. If you must to use your fingers work quickly so you don't melt the butter.

4. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture, then add the beaten egg and buttermilk and mix with until dough is too stiff to stir. Use something sturdy like a wooden spoon.

5. Dust hands with a little flour, then gently knead dough in the bowl just long enough to form a rough ball. If the dough is too sticky to work with, add in a little more flour. Knead as little as possible, over kneading makes the bread tough.

6. Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and shape into a round loaf. Note that the dough will be a little sticky and not pretty. No worries, that's right!

7. Transfer dough to a baking sheet (it will flatten out a bit) and score the top, making a big X. Don't be afraid to cut right in, it helps the dough bake evenly.

8. Bake until bread is golden and sounds hollow when tapped, about 35-45 minutes. (Check for doneness also by inserting a long, thin skewer into the center. If it comes out clean, it's done.) If the top is getting too dark while baking, tent the bread with some aluminum foil.

9. Let cool a few minutes: Remove pan or sheet from oven, let bread sit in the pan or on the sheet for 5-10 minutes, then remove to a rack to cool briefly.

Serve bread warm, at room temperature, or sliced and toasted. It's best right away.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Jodi

jodipayne.net