Rustic Country Loaf Recipe

"I found this recipe in the paper, The Weekly Times. I remember my Nan used to make it, she was Irish and suggested it was similar to Irish Soda Bread. It is a simple loaf which is really a larger version of a scone. The recipe states that you must work fast, as the ingredients begin to react with one another as soon as the dry mix comes in contact with the liquid component. Served with a cheese and meat platter this is really tasty, Ohhh and would work perfectly in winter with soup. I think it would also be fantastic served with a ploughman's lunch."

Original is 5 servings

Metric US

I've Tried It

Ingredients

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2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (plain)
2 1/2 cups wholemeal flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon butter
1 3/4 cups buttermilk

Nutritional

Serving Size: 1 (265.9 g)
Calories 631.3
Total Fat - 9.1 g
Saturated Fat - 4.3 g
Cholesterol - 19.4 mg
Sodium - 813 mg
Total Carbohydrate - 118.8 g
Dietary Fiber - 10.1 g
Sugars - 5.8 g
Protein - 21.4 g
Calcium - 161.6 mg
Iron - 3.7 mg
Vitamin C - 0 mg
Thiamin - 0.5 mg

Step by Step Method

Step 1

Preheat oven to 190°C Sprinkle a teaspoon of the plain flour over the centre of a baking tray and set aside. Put 2 teaspoons of plain flour into a small bowl and set bowl aside.

Step 2

Meanwhile, put the remaining plain flour, wholemeal flour, baking soda and salt into a large bowl and mix well with your hands to combine.

Step 3

Add the butter, breaking it up into small pieces with your fingers, and mix it into the flour mixture until combined.

Step 4

Make a well in the centre of the flour-butter mixture and add the buttermilk.

Step 5

Slowly add the buttermilk into the mixture with your hands until a rough ball forms.

Step 6

Turn the mixture out on a lightly floured surface and form into a neat ball (without kneading).

Step 7

Transfer the dough to the centre of the baking tray and press gently to form a 20cm-wide round.

Step 8

Using a sharp knife, slash a cross 1cm deep across the entire top of the loaf and then dust the top of the loaf with the reserved flour.

Step 9

Bake until the bread is light golden and a tap on the bottom of the loaf sounds hollow, about 60 minutes. N.B. Oven temperatures do vary so keep an eye on its baking -- some oven's may take less and other's longer.