Boil one-half pound of hops in eight quarts of water until the liquid is very strong; then put in fifteen or twenty large potatoes; let them boil till they are thoroughly done; take them out; pare and mash them fine. Put in the mashed potatoes a pint of flour, and strain your boiling hop liquid on to the flour and potato, taking care that the flour is well scalded. Add one pint of molasses, one tablespoonful of ginger and one handful of salt; when the mixture is cool enough to put the hand in, rub it through a colander to reduce it to a fine pulp. Add a sufficient quantity of yeast to raise it, and let it stand in a large covered jar until morning; then add another bowl of flour, and mix the cakes with Indian meal. They must be hard enough to take up a quantity of dough in the hand, pat it together and cut it into slices. Lay the cakes as you cut them on plates or something that will not impart any taste to them. The cakes must be turned once the first day, and after that twice a day until they are thoroughly dry.
Mrs. Orin Sage.
YEAST.
One handful hops, six large potatoes; boil together until well done, and strain through a colander; add sufficient water to make two quarts, and when boiling stir quickly into one quart of flour and a little salt. When lukewarm add one cup of yeast.
Ellen.
POTATO BREAD.
Three and one-half quarts sifted flour, one boiled potato, large; one quart warm water, one teacup yeast, one even tablespoon salt. Mix at night; put the flour in a large bowl; hollow a place in the centre for the potato mashed, water and salt. Stir in flour enough to make a smooth batter; add yeast; stir in the rest of the flour. Put the dough on the floured board; knead fifteen minutes, using barely enough flour to prevent sticking. Flour the bowl, lay the dough in it, cover, and leave to rise. In the morning, divide in four parts; mould into loaves; when light, prick, and bake in a moderate oven.
SALT RAISING BREAD.
Pour a pint of hot water in a two-quart pail or pitcher on one-half tablespoon of salt; when the finger can be held in it, add one and one-third pints of flour; mix well, and leave the pitcher in a kettle of water, as warm as that used in mixing. Keep it at the same temperature until the batter is nearly twice its original bulk (which will be in from five to eight hours). It may be stirred once or twice during the rising. Add to this a sponge made of one quart of hot water, two and one-half quarts of flour—adding as much more as may be necessary to make a soft dough; mix well, and leave in a warm place to rise. When light, mould into loaves, keeping them as soft as possible; lay in buttered tins. When light again, prick, and bake.