Irish Soda Bread

 
St. Patrick's Day makes me think of corned beef, cabbage and irish soda bread.  The "traditional" irish soda bread uses flour, baking soda, salt and buttermilk.  Since most people probably don't keep buttermilk kicking around in their fridge, I substituted regular milk in its place. I adapted a recipe that I found in the Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook. Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Ingredients:
 
2 cups white flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large egg (beaten)
3/4 cup milk

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  In large bowl, put flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.  "Cut" in butter with two knives until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Add the egg and milk.  Combine with large spoon just until moistened.  On a slightly floured surface, knead the mixture about 15 times.  The mixture will be  kind of sticky, so you might want to flour your hands a little also.  On an ungreased cookie sheet, shape dough into a 8-inch-round loaf.  Cut a 4-inch "X", 1/4 inch deep, on the top of the loaf with a knife. Bake for 30 minutes until golden and is done in the center.  Remove from cookie sheet immediately and let cool on rack.