IRISH SODA BREAD

INGREDIENTS:

4-1/2		CUPS		SIFTED FLOUR
1		TSP.		BAKING SODA
1-1/2		CUPS		RAISINS ( SOAKED IN WARM WATER FOR 5 MINUTES )
1		EACH		SMALL BOX CARAWAY SEEDS
1		PINT		SOUR CREAM
1				PINCH/DASH	SALT

PROCESS:

COMBINE ALL DRY INGREDIENTS.

ADD SOUR CREAM BY HAND, KNEADING AS YOU GO ALONG.

ADD RAISINS ( COST WITH FLOUR FIRST )

SHAPE INTO HALF MOON LOAF AND PLACE IN AN IRON SKILLET THAT HAS BEEN COATED WITH FLOUR.

MAKE A CROSS ON THE LOAF WITH A SERRATED KNIFE.

BAKE AT 350 DEGREES FOR APPROXIMATELY 45 TO 50 MINUTES.

TAKE OUT OF OVEN AND LET COOL FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE HOURS ON A RACK.

One of the most delicious Irish Soda Breads in the world.  A recipe that has been in the Family for over 100 years.  My Great GREAT Aunt (Catherine McTague) brought this recipe with here from County Leitrim, Ireland in the 1880's.  She was the COOK for Emily Post in New York City for 25 years.