Irish Soda Bread

4 cups flour [unsifted]

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup seedless raisins

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 tablespoons sugar

1 cup buttermilk

4 tablespoons butter

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Mix dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Stir in raisins. Make a well in the mixture and pour in buttermilk. Stir until well blended.

Knead dough 8 to 10 times. Roll dough into a ball.

Use 1½ tablespoons butter to grease cookie sheet. Place dough on cookie sheet and flatten into a thick circle. Use a floured knife to make an X on top of loaf. [Prevents loaf from cracking] Spread remaining butter on top and sides of dough.

Bake for about 40 minutes until top of loaf is golden brown.

Cool on rack.

Serve with butter and/or green mint jelly.