Salt Rising Bread

Yield: 3 medium size loaves

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups potatoes, sliced
• 2 tablespoons cornmeal
• 1 1/2 tablespoons salt
• 1 quart boiling water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup warm milk
• 1 tablespoon shortening, melted
• 11 cups flour

Instructions

1. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon salt and the cornmeal over potatoes. Add boiling water and stir until salt has dissolved. Cover and keep warm from noon to the following morning.
2. Drain off liquid into a large bowl. Add the baking soda, 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar and 5 cups flour to the liquid. Stir until ingredients are well blended. This sponge should be the consistency of cake batter. Set mixture in a warm place, and let rise until light and full of bubbles. This requires about 1 1/2 hours.
3. Scald milk and cool to lukewarm.
4. Add shortening. Add milk and remaining flour to sponge. Knead for 10 to 12 minutes and shape into 3 loaves. Let rise until light, about 1 1/2 hours.
5. Bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour.