Irish soda bread

Ingredients

• 300 g plain flour
• 200 g wholemeal wheat flour
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 4 dl cultured buttermilk
• extra flour for dusting

Method

1. 1Heat oven to 200°C. Mix flours, bicarbonate and salt.
2. 2Stir in buttermilk just until dough comes together. Avoid prolonged kneading; dough should be soft.
3. 3Shape a round loaf on a floured surface, place on baking paper and cut a deep cross in its top.
4. 4Bake for 35–45 minutes until golden and hollow-sounding underneath. Cool on a rack.