Dennis.Montreal, writes:
[For a good breakfast] I like Irish Soda Bread with oatmeal and wheat bran in it, toasted with good quality (Wilkins and Sons) Strawberry Preserve.
I also enjoy (especially on weekends) a nice smoked sausage with toasted ciabatta, unsalted butter and strawberry preserves. GOOD strong coffee or even a cappucino or latte, or Hot Chocolate made with espresso.......I'm happy!
D

Ingredients:
(Serves 4)

• 2 cups coarse whole-wheat flour, OR (my choice:) 1 cup each wheat bran and old-fashioned oat meal
• 2 cups all purpose unbleached flour
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp cream of tartar
• ¼ cup sugar
• 4 tblsp cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 2 cups buttermilk

1. Preaheat oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit; lightly grease a 9-inch cake pan
2. In a large bowl mix the flours (or wheat bran and oatmeal) salt, baking soda. cream of tartar and sugar with a whisk.
3. With the tips of your fingers, incorporate the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Make a well in the center of the mix and dump the two cups buttermilk in at once.
5. With a wodden spoon, mix the ingredients until a ball is just forming.
6. Turn the contents out onto a floured surface and kneed quickly just enough to form a clean ball. Flour your hands with extra flour if the dough is sticky.
7. Place dough into prepared pan and pat to just fill the pan.
8. Cut a large X in the top with a sharp knife and bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned and a "hollow" sound is given when tapped, 35-40 minutes.

To make this fresh on a Saturday morning and bake it, it fills the air with such a wonderful aroma!

*Ted's Note: For variations on this recipe add half a cup of currants or raisins; or 2 tbsps caraway seeds or poppy seeds; or half cup of chopped walnuts or chopped almonds

Contributed by Dennis.Montreal (feetup)