IRISH SODA BREAD

PREP + COOK TIME 1 HOUR 30 MINUTES SERVES 8

2½ cups (375g) white plain flour 2⅔ cups (420g) wholemeal plain flour 1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda 2¾ cups (680ml) buttermilk,

approximately

1 Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C fan. Grease an oven tray.

2 Sift flours, salt and soda into a large bowl; add any wholemeal husks from the sieve to the bowl.

Stir in enough of the buttermilk to make a firm dough.

3 Knead dough on a floured surface until just smooth. Shape dough into 20cm round; place on tray. Using a sharp knife, cut a 1cm-deep cross into the top of the dough.

4 Bake bread for 50 minutes. Turn the bread, top-side up, onto a wire rack to cool.

SERVING SUGGESTION Serve with butter and jam.