James Beard’s Salt-rising Bread

Make starter: In a glass bowl mix together all ingredients for
starter. Cover with a plate and place in a barely warm oven for 12
hours, or until top is covered with 1/2 to 1-inch of foam (a gas oven
with pilot light is warm enough or heat electric oven to 250 degrees
for 20 minutes; turn off before placing bowl in oven.) Keep warm.

Make bread: Strain liquid from salt starter through a sieve set over
a large mixing bowl. Pour 1/2 cup warm water over potato, pressing to
extract as much liquid as possible; discard potato. Stir baking soda,
milk, butter and salt into potato liquid. Add 2 cups of flour and
beat until very smooth. Add 2 1/2 cups more flour, stirring until
dough comes together. Sprinkle remaining flour over work surface,
turn out dough and knead for 10 to 12 minutes, until dough is smooth.
Divide in two and form into loaves. Place loaves in 2 well-buttered
loaf pans, cover and set aside in a warm place to double, 4 to 5
hours. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bake 35 to 45 minutes or until
bottom of loaves sound hollow when tapped. Turn loaves out of pans
and cool completely on racks before slicing.

Yield: 2 loaves

ESSENCE OF EMERIL SHOW #EE2134