Irish Soda Bread from Julia

Secrets to remember:

1. Cut a cross in the top to let the fairies out (Irish rule :P)

2. Wholemeal flour - if you can find an Irish brand of coarse wholemeal flour

Ingredients: 

250 grams (2 cups) of wholemeal flour, coarsely ground

125 grams (1 cup) white flour
60 grams (1 cup) of wheat bran
70 grams (1 cup) of pinhead oatmeal
2 tsp of baking soda
Pinch of salt
2 Tbsp honey
600ml buttermilk

Raisins or cranberries optional

1. Mix dry ingredients

2. In another bowl, add the honey to the buttermilk and mix. 

3. Make a well in the centre of the flour and add most of the buttermilk & honey mixture. 

4. Mix until moistened, adding the rest of the buttermilk slowly as you go. 

5. Add raisins now - if desired. 

6. Fluff the dough onto a floured cutting board and turn it round. It should be about two inches thick. 

7. Place onto a greased baking sheet and cut your cross into the top, it should be about a half-inch-deep. 

8. Bake at 180 degrees C for an hour - turn it over for the last 10 mins. If you tap the bottom and it sounds hollow, it's done :)