SODA BREAD

PREP AND BAKE TIME 40 MINS | MAKES 1 LOAF

INGREDIENTS

500g plain white flour, plus extra for dusting 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

1 tsp salt

400ml buttermilk

METHOD

Heat oven to 200°C and line a baking tray with baking parchment or silicone paper. Put all dry ingredients into a large bowl and mix well, then stir in buttermilk to form a sticky dough. Tip dough on to a lightly floured surface and shape quickly into a ball. Flatten a little with your hand.

Put dough on prepared baking tray. Mark into quarters, cutting dough deeply, almost but not quite through to the base. Dust with a little flour. Bake for 30 minutes or until loaf is cooked through – it should be golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the base. Leave to cool on a wire rack. Soda bread is best eaten within a day of baking. It also freezes well.