Salt Risin Bread
Salt Rising Bread offers a hearty, slightly tangy flavor with a soft crumb and crust, perfect for comforting breakfasts or sandwiches, especially suited for traditional bread lovers.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Peel and slice the potatoes.
- Add cornmeal, sugar, salt, and boiling water to the potatoes.
- Wrap the mixture in a heavy cloth.
- Cover and allow to stand in a warm place overnight.
- Remove the potatoes from the mixture.
- Add lukewarm milk, water, soda, salt, and melted shortening.
- Add enough flour to make a stiff dough that can be kneaded until smooth and elastic.
- Divide the dough into 3 loaves.
- Place the loaves in well-greased pans.
- Cover and let rise until doubled in size.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F until done.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter texture, ensure your dough is well-kneaded; this helps develop gluten. If you don't have cornmeal, you can substitute with fine bread crumbs. Always check the temperature of your milk; it should be lukewarm, not hot, to prevent killing the yeast. This bread pairs beautifully with Edna Lambert's Corn Bread for a delightful spread.
Serving Suggestions
This bread is delicious served warm with butter or alongside soups and stews. It also makes a great base for sandwiches. For a unique treat, try toasting slices and topping them with your favorite jam or spread. For dessert, it pairs nicely with a slice of Key Lime Pie (One 9-Inch Pie) for a balanced meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover Salt Risin Bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, slice and freeze the bread, wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. To reheat, place slices in a toaster or warm them in the oven until just heated through, ensuring they retain moisture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Salt Risin Bread contains roughly 2252 calories, with 51g protein, 406g carbohydrates, and 48g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (138% of the Daily Value), protein (102% of the Daily Value), and iron (84% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2998mg per serving (130% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use instant potatoes instead of fresh potatoes?
While fresh potatoes are recommended for flavor and texture, you can use instant potatoes in a pinch. Just rehydrate them according to package instructions and use the resulting mixture as a substitute. However, the taste may vary slightly from the traditional recipe.
How can I tell when the bread is done baking?
You can check if the bread is done by tapping the top; it should sound hollow. Additionally, using a thermometer, the internal temperature should reach about 190°F. If the crust is browning too quickly, cover it loosely with foil for the last few minutes of baking.
What should I do if my dough doesn't rise?
If your dough doesn't rise, it could be due to inactive yeast or too cold of an environment. Make sure your yeast is fresh and try placing the dough in a warmer spot to encourage rising. You can also try adding a pinch of sugar to the dough to help activate the yeast.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).