Rustic Country Loaf

Directions

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 3
   Add the butter, breaking it up into small pieces with your fingers, and mix it into the flour mixture until combined.
4. 4
   Make a well in the centre of the flour-butter mixture and add the buttermilk.
5. 5
   Slowly add the buttermilk into the mixture with your hands until a rough ball forms.
6. 6
   Turn the mixture out on a lightly floured surface and form into a neat ball (without kneading).
7. 7
   Transfer the dough to the centre of the baking tray and press gently to form a 20cm-wide round.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 10
    Wrap the bread in a clean tea-towel, and allow to cool for about 2 hours.
11. 11
    Slice and serve at room temperature or toasted, with a generous dollop of butter.