Soda bread

Method

1. 1 Heat the oven to 200°C/400°F/gas 6 (180°C for fan ovens). Butter and lightly flour a large baking sheet.
2. 2 Put the plain flour, wholemeal bread flour, bicarbonate of soda and salt in a large bowl and mix together.
3. 3 Make a well in the centre, pour in the buttermilk and combine with your hands (don’t over-mix as the dough will lose its lightness).
4. 4 Tip on to a floured surface and shape into a round loaf about 3cm thick. Put on the baking sheet and make a deep cross in the dough.
5. 5 Dust with plain flour, then bake for 30-35 minutes until it sounds hollow when tapped underneath.
6. 6 Transfer to a wire rack and serve warm.