Before this year, I would use this recipe for Irish Soda Bread, however, every year I would get comments about the bread being a little dry. This year I opted to try a new recipe with great success. I must even admit that this adaptation from Emeril's Every Day is Party cookbook was much moister, tastier and simpler.

Here is what you'll need:

• 4 cups bleached all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup raisins 
• 2 cups buttermilk

Preheat oven to 450F. Grease baking sheet and set aside.

Combine flour, baking soda, salt and raisins in a mixing bowl. Add buttermilk and mix with a fork until a dough forms.

Lightly flour a work surface, either a board or countertop. Transfer dough from the bowl to the floured surface. Gently fold the edges into each other four times, turn over, then pat the dough out into a circle about 9 inches in diameter and about 1 inch thick.

Place dough on baking sheet. Using a knife, slice the top of the dough to make an X.

Place baking sheet in oven and bake 15 minutes. Turn oven temperature down to 400F. Continue baking bread for 25 additional minutes until bread is browned. To test the bread, tap on the top of the loaf and listen for a hollow thumping sound. Cut into 8 large slices or 12-16 smaller slices.

Source: Adapted from Emeril's Every Day is a Party Cookbook