The Soup Diva

Irish soda bread, so named because it gets its leavening from baking soda, is a traditional Irish bread that has as many variations as Ireland has shamrocks. I decided to try my hand at it for an office potluck to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, since I’m .1% Irish.*

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt

Whisk together dry ingredients and stir in buttermilk only until mostly incorporated. Scrape into Dutch oven that has been liberally coated with oil OR lined with parchment, and smooth the top as best you can. Bake covered at 400⁰ 15 minutes; uncover and bake 30 minutes more. Allow to sit 10 minutes, then turn out onto cooling rack. Cool completely before slicing with serrated knife for best results. Serve with butter and/or jam, or fry slices for a traditional Irish ulster fry breakfast.