Traditional Irish Soda Bread

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1½ cups buttermilk

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease 2-quart round glass baking dish

In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Be sure mixture is stirred well to distribute baking soda and powder. Make a well in the center.

While stirring by hand with wooden spoon, slowly pour buttermilk into the well. Continue stirring about 30 seconds, until dough ball starts to form. With your hands, gently press dough together and knead gently with fingers until dough comes together. The dough will be lumpy, not smooth.

Turn dough into greased baking dish. (For a deep golden crust, brush top of dough with 2 tablespoons buttermilk.) Bake for 35-40 minutes until light golden brown. Serve warm with butter.

Serves eight.

Baker’s hint: For Spotted Dog, add ½ cup raisins or currants and 1 more tablespoon sugar.

Nutrition values per serving: 197 calories, 1 g fat, 40 g carbohydrates, 1 g fiber, 6 g protein, 2 mg cholesterol, 374 mg sodium.