Food2Nite: Easy Irish Soda Bread

One day until St. Patty's Day and you're going to need something to soak up the Irish Stew and Guinness Beer. In less than one hour (start to finish), you can have a delicious, warm, golden brown loaf of homemade Irish Soda Bread (and make your whole place smell amazing as well).

C'mon -- eight steps and eight ingredients and you probably only need to buy 2 of them.
It couldn't be easier if someone came over and fed you slices.

Irish Soda Bread Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour


• 2 teaspoons baking powder


• 1 teaspoon baking soda


• 1/2 teaspoon salt


• 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter


• 2 tablespoons cold vegetable shortening (like a Crisco-type product)


• 1 egg, beaten


• 1 cup buttermilk

Directions
1) Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2) In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, and mix well.
3) Cut the butter and shortening into small pieces and add to the flour mixture.
4) Using your fingers, work the cold butter and shortening into the flour mixture until it creates coarse crumbs.
5) Add egg and buttermilk, and mix into the flour mixture until it is incorporated.
6) Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead gently until the dough forms a smooth ball.
7) Place loaf on a lightly greased cookie sheet.
8) Place the loaf in the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until golden brown.

Add2's:
Add some raisins (2/3 cup) and 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg if you want a little sweetness.

Irish Soda bread goes great with Irish Stew, corned beef and cabbage, marmalade or jams, or even as part of a great grilled cheese sandwich with a great Irish cheddar (like Kerrygold).

Let us know how it goes for you...
Do you have any Irish Soda Bread secret weapons?