RUSTIC COUNTRY LOAF

Steps:

• 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.
• Meanwhile, put the remaining plain flour, wholemeal flour, baking soda and salt into a large bowl and mix well with your hands to combine.
• Add the butter, breaking it up into small pieces with your fingers, and mix it into the flour mixture until combined.
• Make a well in the centre of the flour-butter mixture and add the buttermilk.
• Slowly add the buttermilk into the mixture with your hands until a rough ball forms.
• Turn the mixture out on a lightly floured surface and form into a neat ball (without kneading).
• Transfer the dough to the centre of the baking tray and press gently to form a 20cm-wide round.
• 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.
• 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.
• Wrap the bread in a clean tea-towel, and allow to cool for about 2 hours.
• Slice and serve at room temperature or toasted, with a generous dollop of butter.