The Kitchen of the Midnightferret

I first tasted Irish Soda bread at O’Flaherty’s Irish Pub in New Orleans.  Sadly, this pub is no more, due to Hurricane Katrina in 2005.  When I worked for a tour company that was based in O’Flaherty’s, I ate huge amounts of Shepherd’s pie and soda bread.

2 cup whole flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
3 level tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 Tbs. sugar
2 cup buttermilk (approx.)
2 egg yolks for brushing.

Preheat oven to 400° F, then reduce to 350° F. Mix dry ingredients well. Add milk by degrees until flour is absorbed - not too wet - just enough to knead. Knead for 5 minutes. Shape into a round loaf. Place in a lightly greased 9″ cake tin - Cut a cross in the top (about a 1/4 in deep). Brush top with egg yolks. Bake until brown on top (50 - 60 min) Remove - cool pan and bread on wire rack for 10 minutes, then remove bread from pan and fully cool on wire rack.