Irish Brown Bread

When I moved to Ireland from New York City area with my husband (who is Irish and I'm 1st. generation Italian American. I wanted to make this because it is a staple in Irish households. The recipe can be doubled. I hope you enjoy.

• Ready In: 1 hr 20 mins
• Yields: 1 Loaf

Ingredients

• 6  ounces  whole meal flour
• 6  ounces plain flour
• 1 1⁄2 ounces  oat bran
• 1 1⁄2 ounces wheat germ
• 1 1⁄2 ounces pinhead oats
• 1 1⁄2 ounces brown sugar
• 3⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1  teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1  large egg
• 14  ounces buttermilk
•  just a little oatmeal for sprinkling on the top  bread (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven (400 F), or (200 C).
2. Grease (I use PAM) and flour a 2lb bread loaf/tin.
3. Put flours, bran, wheatgerm, pinhead oatmeal, sugar and salt in a large bowl.
4. Sift in baking powder and baking soda.
5. Mix thoroughly.
6. Mix egg in a separate bowl and add buttermilk.
7. Make a well in the center of dry ingredients and add buttermilk/egg mixture.
8. With one hand use your fingers (open and stiff) mix in a full circle, bringing the dough together. (It should be soft and sloppy).
9. Put dough in greased bread loaf/tin sprinkle with oatmeal.
10. Put in oven for about 1 hour, then remove bread from loaf and place BACK into the oven WITHOUT the tins. ( I just place it on a baking sheet). Bake for another 10-15 minutes until bread sounds hollow when you tap the bottom.