Irish Brown Bread

Ingredients:
2 cups whole-wheat (wholemeal) flour
1 1/2 cups all-purpose (plain) flour, plus extra for kneading and dusting
1/2 cup wheat germ
2 teaspoons baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups low-fat buttermilk
1 egg, lightly beaten

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400 F. Have ready a nonstick baking sheet.

In a bowl, combine the flours, wheat germ, baking soda and salt. Whisk to blend. Beat in the buttermilk and egg and stir just until moistened.

Turn the dough out onto a generously floured work surface and, with floured hands, gently knead it 8 to 10 times; the dough will be sticky. Gather into a loose ball.

On the baking sheet, form the dough into a 7-inch round. Dust the top of dough with a small amount of flour. Cut a 4-inch X into the top of the dough, cutting about 1/2 inch deep. Bake until the bread splits open at the X and makes a hollow sound when the underside is tapped, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool for 2 hours (ideally) before slicing.