traditional irish soda bread

prep time:  15 minutes
cook time:  45 minutes
servings:  8

ingredients:
4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 - 1 1/2 cup buttermilk

steps:
1.  heat oven to 425 degrees.  brush a baking sheet with melted butter.

2.  combine the dry ingredients in a deep bowl.  gradually stir in 1 cup buttermilk, beating constantly, until dough is firm enough to be gathered into a ball.  if dough crumbles, add up to 1/2 cup more buttermilk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it holds together.

3.  place on a lightly floured board and pat into a 8-inch flattened round loaf.  place loaf on baking sheet and slash a 1/2-inch deep "x" into the top of the dough.  bake for 45 minutes, or until the top is golden.

- food.com