Common Bread Dough

Ingredients

• 1 pint of yeast
• 8 pints of warm water
• 1 heaping tablespoon of coarse sea salt
• 8 pounds of flour
• Melted lard or butter for brushing

Directions

1. Strain the yeast and water into a pan and mix in half the flour. Beat the mixture thoroughly.

2. Scrape down the sides of the pan. Pour a spoonful of melted lard on top to prevent a crust from forming.

3. Cover with a cloth and let the sponge rise in a warm place for 4 to 6 hours.

4. After the sponge has risen, beat it again, add the salt, and mix in the remaining flour to form a stiff dough.

5. Knead the dough on a clean surface, alternating between pulling it into a round shape and pressing the edges into the center.

6. Brush a clean pan with a little melted lard or butter to prevent sticking, then place the dough in the pan and brush the top.

7. Let the dough rise until doubled in size.