Posted by Karen on March 12, 2001 at 18:54:39:
Irish Soda Bread
To make one 8-inch round loaf, you will need:
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 to 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Sift the flour, soda and salt together into a deep mixing bowl.
Gradually add 1 cup of buttermilk, mixing with a large spoon until the dough is firm enough to be gathered into a large ball. If the dough crumbles, add some more of the buttermilk, a tablespoon at a time, until the particles adhere.
Place the dough on a lightly floured board, and pat and shape it into a flat circular loaf about 8 inches in diameter and 1 1/2 inches thick. Set the loaf on a floured baking sheet. With the tip of a small knife, cut a 1/2 inch deep cross into the dough, dividing the top of the loaf into quarters.
Bake the bread in the middle of the oven for about 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Remove from the oven and wrap in a clean cloth and let cool on a wire rack for about 20 minutes.