IRISH SODA BREAD - VEGETARIAN SERVINGS:1 8” LOAF (HAPPY SNACKING FOR 6-8) — PREP TIME: 15 MINUTES — COOK TIME: 1 HOUR 15 MINUTES INGREGIDENTS: 3 CUPS WHOLE-WHEAT FLOUR (THE COARSER THE BETTER!) 1 CUP ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR 1 TBSP KOSHER SALT 1 TSP BAKING SODA ¾ TSP BAKING POWDER 1 ½ CUPS BUTTERMILK 1 CUP CURRANTS INSTRUCTIONS:

PREHEAT THE OVEN TO 375 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT WITH A RACK PLACED IN THE LOWER THIRD OF THE OVEN.

MIX THE FLOURS, SALT, BAKING POWDER AND SODA TOGETHER IN A LARGE BOWL. MAKE A WELL IN THE CENTER AND ADD THE BUTTERMILK AND CURRANTS AND KNEAD GENTLY WITH YOUR HANDS TO CREATE A SOFT DOUGH, “SIMILAR IN QUALITY TO BISCUIT DOUGH.” IF YOUR DOUGH IS ON THE DRY SIDE, YOU CAN ADD UP TO ANOTHER ½ CUP OF BUTTERMILK. IT SHOULD STAY TOGETHER, BUT NOT SAG.

TURN THE DOUGH ONTO A LIGHTLY FLOURED SURFACE AND GENTLY KNEAD FOR 2-3 MINUTES, UNTIL SMOOTH AND VELVETY. KEEPING THE BOTTOM OF THE DOUGH ON THE COUNTER, ROLL IT FROM HAND TO HAND CREATE A ROUND LOAF. TRANSFER YOUR LOAF TO A GREASED COOKIE SHEET OR 8” CAKE PAN.

DEEPLY CUT A CROSS PATTERN INTO THE TOP OF THE DOUGH WITH A SHARP KNIFE. YOU WANT TO CUT AT LEAST 1 INCH DOWN, THIS WILL CREATE THE DISTINCTIVE SODA BREAD LOOK, AND ALSO ENSURE THAT THE LOAF BAKES THROUGH.

BAKE IN THE PREHEATED OVEN FOR 45 MINUTES TO 1 HOUR, UNTIL THE LOAF IS BROWNED AND SOUNDS HOLLOW WHEN TAPPED ON THE BOTTOM. FOR THE SCIENTIFICALLY INCLINED, AN INTERNAL TEMPERATURE SHOULD READ OVER 190 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.

ALLOW THE BREAD TO COOL (THIS IS ACTUALLY THE FINISHING STEP OF THE BAKING PROCESS AND SETS ALL THAT LOVELY GLUTEN TO PREVENT A GUMMY MESS!), SLICE THINLY, AND ENJOY!

WHILE YOU WAIT FOR YOUR BREAD TO BAKE AND COOL, GRAB A GLASS OF GUINESS (NO GREEN BEER PLEASE!) - SLÁINTE!