***** BROWN SODA BREAD *****

Ingredients:

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup whole wheat flour (King Arthur's White Wheat Flour)

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup wheat bran (optional)

3/4 cup buttermilk

1 tablespoons butter

1 large egg

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Lightly butter the bottom of a 4 quart covered casserole.

Sift together the flours, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a mixing bowl.  Stir in the optional wheat germ.  Heat the butter in the buttermilk until it is just melted.  Stir in the large egg.  Work the wet ingredients into the dry ones until they are just mixed.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured board and knead lightly for a minute adding more wholewheat  flour as needed to keep the dough from sticking.  Shape the dough into a cushion and lower it into the buttered casserole.  Slash the top with a cross 1-1/2" deep.  Cover and bake for 50 minutes.

Let the Brown Bread cool on a rack.  Slice thin and serve warm or toasted with unsweetened butter.

***** VARIATION: BROWN SODA BREAD WITH DRIED FRUITS  *****

Fold 3/4 cup or more dried fruits and raisins, mixed before adding the wet ingredients.