Skillet Soda Bread

¼ cup unsalted butter, melted 3 cups all-purpose flour 2/3 cup sugar 1 Tablespoon baking powder 1 ½ teaspoons salt 1 tsp baking soda 1 ¾ cup buttermilk 2 eggs, well beaten 1 ½ cups raisins or currants 3 packets tsp spices fennel seeds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 10-inch oven-proof skillet and line with parchment or waxed paper. Combine flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda and whisk together. You can also sift these ingredients or, as we prefer, give them a quick whir in the bowl of a food processor. In a separate bowl, combine buttermilk, eggs, sugar and half (2 Tablespoons) of the melted butter. Add wet ingredients to dry and stir until just combined. Fold in the raisins or currants and the fennel seeds. Pour batter into the skillet. Brush the top with the remaining butter. Bake until golden and firm to the touch, about 1 hour. Cool for 10 minutes before serving. This is delicious served with slices of crisp, tart apples and cheddar cheese. (adapted from The New York Times)