Bread Sponge (Mary Anne's)

Ingredients

• Six potatoes 
• Six tablespoons of baker's yeast
• Two tablespoons of white sugar
• Two tablespoons of lard
• One teaspoon of baking soda
• One quart of warm water 
• Three cups of white flour (sifted)

Directions

1. Peel and boil the potatoes.
2. Mash the potatoes.
3. Mix in the lard and sugar to the mashed potatoes until creamy.
4. Gradually mix in a quart of the water in which the potatoes were boiled. 
5. Beat in the flour until smooth.
6. Mix in the yeast, and lastly the baking soda. 
7. Cover lightly and set to rise overnight in a warm place

Source — The Unrivalled Cook-Book
Prepared by Zoe Hennigan
Louisiana Anthology
September 18, 2022