Soda Bread from Ireland

Irish soda bread is a perfect accompaniment to a good hearty Irish stew.  In America they add in raisins, but the traditional soda bread is a bit like a giant scone without raisins.  Filling and wholesome.

4 cups flour
4 tablespoons white sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup margarine, softened
1 cup buttermilk
1 egg
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup buttermilkPreheat oven to 190 degrees Celsius. Grease a large baking sheet.  Mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt and margarine. Stir in the buttermilk and egg. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead slightly. Form the dough into a round and place on the greased baking sheet. The next step is to combine the melted butter with 1/4 cup buttermilk and brush the dough with this mixture. Use a sharp knife to cut an 'X' into the top of the loaf.
Bake for 45 to 50 minutes.  You may continue to brush the loaf with the butter mixture while it bakes.  Do your first check after about 30 minutes or so to see if it's done by sticking a thin knife in the centre.  If it comes back dry without any dough sticking to it then it's done.

Cindy Vine is a South African living in Ukraine and is the author of Hush Baby, Defective and C U @ 8. All her books are available on Amazon in print and on Kindle. http://cindyvine.com