Soda bread

Preparation time: 60 min
Makes 1 loaf

Ingredients
450g plain flour
1 tsp salt
2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
450ml buttermilk
1 tsp sunflower oil

Method
1. Put the flour into a large bowl, add the salt and bicarbonate of soda and mix well. Add 450ml buttermilk and the sunflower oil, and mix lightly with a wooden spoon, adding a little more buttermilk if the mixture is too dry.

2. Turn out the dough on to a lightly floured surface and shape into a ball. Put the loaf on a floured baking tray and make a cross in the top with a knife, dipping it in flour first so it doesn’t stick.

3. Place in an oven preheated to 220C/gas 7 and bake for 20 min, then reduce the temperature to 150C/gas 2. Bake for another 25 min or until the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the base. Transfer to a wire rack and leave to cool. This bread is best eaten on the day of baking.