Preheat oven to 425 then lightly grease and flour your pan.

If you are making your own buttermilk do so now.

Mix flour, salt and baking soda in a large bowl.

Cut your butter into very small pieces and mix thoroughly with hands or a pastry blender.

If you are adding anything in to your dough (currants, herbs, cheese) do so now and mix lightly to coat with flour.

Make a well in your flour mix. Lightly beat one egg in a cup and add it with the buttermilk to the flour mix.

Fold the mixture just until everything is mixed and put into pan.

You can bake as is or use a knife and lightly cut a cross into the top.

Bake for about 35 minutes or until a knife comes out clean. Check the color about 20/25 minutes and If the bread is darkening too quickly tent the top with foil to lessen the browning.