Irish Soda Bread

I just love making fresh bread on a cool rainy day like today.

Here is one of my super-easy favorites.

Ingredients:

Vegetable oil, for brushing (or Pam)

4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

1 ¾ cup buttermilk

1. Preheat the oven to 425. Brush a cookie sheet with oil

2. Sift the flour, salt, and baking soda together into a bowl. Make a well in the center and pour in most of the buttermilk. Mix well, first with a spoon, then with your hands. The dough should be very soft but not too wet. If necessary, add the remaining buttermilk.

3. Turn of the dough onto a lightly floured counter and knead lightly and briefly. Shape into an 8-inch round. Put the loaf onto the prepared cookie sheet and cut a cross in the top with a sharp knife.

4. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom with your knuckles. Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly and serve warm.

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*Taken from “Making Fresh Bread” (Parragon Books Ltd)