Irish Soda Bread

10 servings/Serving size: one 1-inch slice

There is nothing like warm Irish soda bread!

2 cups unbleached white flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 Tbsp low-calorie margarine, chilled and cut into bits
1 Tbsp caraway seeds
1/4 cup dried currants or raisins
1 cup low-fat buttermilk

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Combine the flour and baking soda. With 2 knives or a pastry blender, work in the margarine until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Toss in the caraway seeds and currants. With a fork, mix in the buttermilk and mix until just blended. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead very gently for 20 strokes, just until smooth. Do not overwork the dough.
Pat well into a 9-inch pan or shape well on a baking sheet. Make a shallow 4-inch cross in the center of the loaf and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden. Serve warm.

Exchanges:
Starch Exchange -- 1&1/2
Calories -- 122
Calories from Fat -- 14
Total Fat -- 2g
Saturated Fat -- 0g
Cholesterol -- 1mg
Sodium -- 127mg
Carbohydrate -- 23g
Dietary Fiber -- 1g
Sugars -- 4g
Protein -- 4g