IRISH SODA BREAD

This quick bread uses a combination of baking soda and buttermilk rather than yeast to help it rise. Serve it with a nice hearty Irish stew.

Yield: Makes 1 loaf.

IRISH SODA BREAD

Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 3/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
  • 1 tbsp salted butter, melted

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl. Stir in raisins.
  3. Combine buttermilk and butter; stir into flour mixture until blended.
  4. Knead 1 minute. Shape into a round loaf, 2 inches thick.
  5. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, score an “x” in top of loaf, cutting 1/4 inch deep.
  6. Bake until loaf sounds hollow when tapped, about 45 minutes. Cool on a rack.
Nutritional analysis per slice:

121 calories, 1.6 g fat, 3.2 g protein, 23.5 g carbohydrate, 0.8 g fibre, 265 mg sodium