Classic Brown Soda

This is the master recipe for basic “brown soda.” If you lived in Ireland at any time over the last couple of centuries, you’ve eaten a basic brown soda like this, possibly even one cooked over a turf fire in a bastible. (Those who know say a turf smoke gives it an indefinable but necessary flavor. I’ve always managed fine with the oven.) It is usually served for breakfast, accompanying the rashers, sausages, and eggs. Served with butter, it’s standard issue with a bowl of lunchtime soup, a