Comforting, easy, and oh, so Irish

There is something particularly soothing about Irish soda bread late in a day full of work anxieties.

from the October 17, 2007 edition

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Soda Bread

4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon baking powder

2 cups buttermilk (or substitute 2 cups of regular milk soured with 2 tablespoons of vinegar, then allowed to sit for a few minutes)

1 cup raisins, currants, chopped dates, or other dried fruit (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

With wooden spoon, quickly mix flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder together in a large bowl. Add buttermilk and fruit, if using, and mix until a uniform dough forms.

Turn batter onto counter and knead briefly, adding only enough flour to keep the dough from sticking. Form two round loaves, slash tops with an X, and place on a greased baking sheet. Bake 50 minutes or until bread has browned and top sounds hollow when tapped with a knuckle. Cool on a rack before slicing. Makes 2 loaves.

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