Rustic Country Loaf

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.

Step 10: Wrap the bread in a clean tea-towel, and allow to cool for about 2 hours.