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1
Preheat the oven to 450F.
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2
Sift all the dry ingredients together into a large bowl.
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3
Mix well by lifting the dry ingredients up into 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
Lightly whisk the egg and buttermilk together.
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6
Make a well in the center and pour in most of the egg and buttermilk at once.
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7
Using one hand, with your fingers stiff and outstretched (like a claw!
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8
), stir in a full circular movement from the center to the outside of the bowl in ever increasing circles, adding a little more buttermilk 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 white soda bread is not to over-mix the dough.
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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 rice-floured work surface.
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13
Wash and dry your hands.
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14
With rice floured fingers, roll lightly for a few secondsjust enough to tidy it up.
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15
Pat the dough into a round, pressing it to about 2in height.
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16
Place the dough on a baking sheet dusted lightly with rice flour.
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17
With a sharp knife cut a deep cross in it, letting the cuts go over the sides of the bread.
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18
Prick with a knife at four angles which, according to Irish folklore, is to let the fairies out!
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19
Bake in the oven for 5 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 350F for a further 25-30 minutes or until cooked.
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20
If in doubt, tap the bottom of the bread: if it is cooked, it will sound hollow.
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21
Cool on a wire rack.
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22
Serve freshly baked, cut into thick slices and smear with butter and homemade jam.
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23
Variations
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24
Spotted Dog: This is called railway cake in some parts of Ireland: a currant for each station.
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25
Follow the master recipe, adding: 3/4 cup (4oz) golden raisins to the dry ingredients.
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26
Serve with butter and raspberry jam; it is also delicious eaten with cheese.
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27
White Soda Bread with Herbs
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28
Follow the master recipe, adding 1-2 tablespoons freshly chopped herbs (rosemary, sage, thyme, chives, parsley, or lemon balm) to the dry ingredients.
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29
White Soda Bread with Cumin
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30
Follow the master recipe, adding 1-2 tablespoons freshly roasted cumin seeds to the flour.
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31
Seedy Bread
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32
If you like caraway seeds, this variation is a must and is delicious served for afternoon tea.
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33
Follow the master recipe, adding 1 tablespoon sugar and 2-3 teaspoons carawayseeds to the dry ingredients.
