Ever-ready Yeast. Mrs. W. H. E. Recipe

Recipe: Ever-ready Yeast - Mrs. W. H. E.

History:
The recipe for Ever-ready Yeast - Mrs. W. H. E. has been passed down through generations, originating from Mrs. W. H. E., whose full name is unfortunately lost to history. This recipe has been cherished by many families and has become a staple in home baking. Ever-ready Yeast was a reliable and convenient way to make bread, especially in times when commercial yeast was not readily available.

Fun Facts:
1. Potatoes were commonly used in older recipes as they provided starch, which acted as a food source for yeast, helping the fermentation process.
2. The use of dry yeast cakes instead of the more modern instant yeast showcases the traditional nature of this recipe.
3. Mrs. W. H. E.'s recipe emphasizes the importance of making the yeast sponge either at bedtime or early in the morning to allow sufficient time for fermentation.
4. The longevity of this yeast, which can be stored for up to two weeks in a cool place, makes it truly ever-ready for any baking needs.

Ingredients:
- 4 good-sized perfect potatoes
- Boiling water
- Flour
- 1 or 2 cakes of dry yeast
- 1 cup water
- 4 pints water

Instructions:
1. Start by peeling and grating four good-sized perfect potatoes quickly.
2. Pour boiling water over the grated potatoes until it thickens like starch. This will help extract the starch from the potatoes.
3. Allow the potato mixture to cool for a few moments, ensuring it is not too hot to dissolve the yeast later.
4. Stir in flour to thicken the potato mixture. The amount of flour used may vary depending on the desired consistency.
5. When the mixture is warm, dissolve one or two cakes of dry yeast in a cup of water. Stir until the yeast is fully dissolved.
6. Pour the dissolved yeast into the potato mixture and mix well. This will start the fermentation process.
7. Allow the mixture to stand for twenty-four hours in a cool place. This resting period will allow the yeast to develop its full potential.
8. After twenty-four hours, your Ever-ready Yeast is ready to use. For baking bread, use one pint of the yeast mixture with four pints of water for four loaves of bread.
9. Make the bread sponge either at bedtime or early in the morning to give the yeast time to ferment and develop its flavor.
10. Enjoy baking with your homemade Ever-ready Yeast - Mrs. W. H. E. and savor the delicious aroma of freshly baked bread.

Similar Recipe Dishes:
1. Homemade Sourdough Starter: Like Ever-ready Yeast, sourdough starter is a natural fermentation agent used to make bread. It requires capturing wild yeast from the environment and nourishing it with flour and water.
2. Amish Friendship Bread Starter: This recipe is similar to Ever-ready Yeast as it uses a fermented starter to make bread. The Amish Friendship Bread starter consists of sugar, flour, and milk, which is nurtured over several days before being used for baking.
3. Poolish or Biga: These are preferments commonly used in artisan bread baking. Similar to Ever-ready Yeast, they are made by fermenting a small portion of the total dough ingredients for an extended period, resulting in enhanced flavor and texture.

Remember, using homemade yeast like Ever-ready Yeast may require adjustments to recipes, so feel free to experiment and tailor the measurements according to your preference. Happy baking!