Another Salt-rising Bread

Ingredients

• 1 pint new milk
• ½ pint hot water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• a pinch of baking soda
• 1 tablespoon cornmeal
• 2 quarts sifted flour
• 1 teaspoon salt (for the flour)
• 1 cup nearly boiling water

Directions

1. In a clean pitcher, mix the milk, hot water, salt, sugar, and baking soda.

2. Stir in the cornmeal and enough flour to make a medium batter.

3. Place the pitcher in a kettle of warm water, cover, and let it sit overnight in a warm place.

4. In the morning, if the mixture hasn't risen, add a spoon of flour, stir, and keep it warm until it rises.

5. In a large pan, combine the sifted flour and 1 teaspoon of salt.

6. Make a well in the center, add the boiling water and milk, and stir to form a batter.

7. Add the risen mixture from the pitcher and stir well.

8. Cover and let it rise until light, about 1 hour.

9. Knead the dough and shape it into loaves.

10. Place the loaves in baking pans, cover, and let them rise until light before baking.