Ingredients

  • 3 potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 3 tablespoons cornmeal
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon white sugar
  • 4 cups boiling water
  • Dough:
  • 2 cups lukewarm milk
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
  • 11 cups all-purpose flour, or more as needed

Method

  • Combine potatoes, cornmeal, 1 teaspoon salt, and sugar in a large bowl. Pour boiling water on top. Cover with a dish towel; let sit for 24 hours in a warm place.
  • Remove potatoes from the yeast water, and add milk, 1 cup water, butter, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and baking soda to the bowl. Add 1 cup flour at a time, stirring constantly, until dough begins to come together and pull away from the sides of the bowl.
  • Turn dough out onto a floured surface; cut into 3 equal pieces. Knead each piece until soft and elastic. Place dough in 3 well-buttered bread pans and turn to coat. Cover loosely with greased plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 24 hours.
  • Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  • Bake in the preheated oven until tops are golden brown, about 45 minutes.