Irish Soda Bread (European Cuisine)

This was such an easy, delicious bread to make.  It's a traditional Irish soda bread that is commonly eaten in Ireland.  In the midst of trying new dishes, my side of the family loved this bread.  It only takes about 5 min. to make before it goes in the oven.
Ingredients

• 3 1/2 cups flour (either cake flour or all-purpose)
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional: you can absolutely omit this if you prefer sugar free soda bread)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Between 8-10 fluid ounces buttermilk, sour / soured milk, or plain ("sweet") milk, to mix

You can artificially sour some plain milk by adding a teaspoon of vinegar or lemon juice to 2 cups of milk and waiting 15 minutes or so for it to sour.  Mix the dry ingredients together.  Make a well and add the buttermilk.   Mix together.  Don't over-knead it.  It shouldn't be smooth.  The key is to mix it quickly because you want the buttermilk and baking soda still reacting when the loaf goes in the oven.  Flatten on a cookie sheet and shape into a circle about 6-8 in. across.  Cut an x on the loaf with a knife, going halfway through.  Cook in the oven for 45 min. at 400 degrees.  If you want you can do the first 10 min. at 450 and then turn it down.

If you want to view videos on how to do it, here are the links I used.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAPzyodY4_g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3WW6bEKm-Y&feature=related