Irish Soda Bread (spotted Dog):

In small bowl, pour boiling water over raisins, let stand 5 minutes. In large bowl, sift flour, soda, baking powder and sugar. Cut in butter until mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Drain raisins, stir into flour mixture. Add buttermilk all at once. Stir vigorously with fork. Shape into ball. Place on greased 8 inch pie plate. Bake 15 minutes at 4000, lower heat to 3750 and bake for 30 more minutes, or until knife comes out clean. Remove from pie plate. Cool 1 hour. Cut into wedges or slices. Makes 10 large servings.