Soda Bread

Here is a great recipe for Irish Soda Bread I came up with. I love using browned butter, I think it gives an indescribable depth of flavor. I have been very busy lately as we are getting ready to remodel our kitchen so I have actually been trying to post this for the last week, just never getting around to it. I realized that as I am posting it today, St Patrick's Day, it couldn't be more perfect timing!

Irish Soda Bread
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 cup spelt flour
1 cup rolled oats
3/4 cup all purpose flour
3 TBS brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 cup buttermilk
5 tbs brown butter
1 egg
1 cup golden raisins

Pre heat oven to 425. Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl. Heat the butter in a small pan and continue to cook it over very low heat until it starts to turn brown. When you put a small amount of butter on a white plate or light surface the butter should look a golden brown color. This is what is called Beurre Noisette or browned butter. Scrape it into a medium bowl (along with all the little dark bits stuck to the bottom of the pan). Once it's no longer hot to the touch whisk in the buttermilk, whisking fast the whole time until everything is mixed in, then whisk in the egg and combine with dry ingredients and golden raisins. Mix just until everything comes together. Divide the dough into two equal sized balls, place them on a greased sheet pan (or one lined with parchment paper) and gently pat into a fairly smooth looking balls and make an x 1/2 " deep in each ball. Bake at 425 for 10 minutes then reduce to 375 and bake to 30-35min. This is best eaten right after it's baked but will be good as toast the following day.