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1
Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
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2
In a large mixing bowl sift in the flour and bread soda, add the salt, sugar, and sultanas.
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3
Mix well by lifting the flour and fruit up in to your hands and then letting them fall back into the bowl through your fingers.
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4
This adds more air and therefore hopefully more lightness to your finished bread.
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5
Now make a well in the center of the flour.
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6
Break the egg into the bottom of your measuring jug, and add the buttermilk to the14 fluid ounce (425 milliliter) line (your egg is part of your liquid measurement).
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7
Pour most of this milk and egg into the flour.
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8
Using 1 hand with the fingers open and stiff, mix in a full circle drawing in the flour from the sides of the bowl, adding more milk if necessary.
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9
The dough should be softish, not too wet and sticky.
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10
The trick with spotted dick like all soda breads is not to over mix the dough.
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11
Mix it as quickly and as gently as possible thus keeping it light and airy.
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12
When the dough all comes together, turn it out onto a well-floured work surface.
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13
Wash and dry your hands.
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14
With floured fingers roll lightly for a few seconds just enough to tidy it up.
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15
Pat the dough into a round, pressing to about 2-inch (6 centimeter) in height.
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16
Place the dough on a baking tray dusted lightly with flour.
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17
With a sharp knife cut a deep cross on it, let the cuts go over the sides of the bread.
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18
Prick with knife at the 4 triangles as according to Irish Folklore this is to let the fairies out!
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19
Put in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, then turn down the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) for 35 minutes or until cooked.
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20
If you are in doubt about the bread being cooked, tap the bottom: if it is cooked it will sound hollow.
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21
Serve freshly baked, cut into thick slices and smeared with butter and jam.
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22
Spotted Dick is also really good eaten with cheese.
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23
This recipe was provided by professional chefs and has been scaled down from a bulk recipe provided by a restaurant.
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24
The FN chefs have not tested this recipe, in the proportions indicated, and therefore, we cannot make any representation as to the results.
