grandma cornish's whole wheat potato bread

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1 medium potato, peeled
• 2 cups water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1/3 cup shortening
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 6 cups warm milk
• 3 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup warm water (110 degrees f/45 degrees c)
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 15 cups whole wheat flour

Recipe

• dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in 1/2 cup warm water.
• boil one medium peeled potato in 2 cups water with 1 teaspoon salt. mash the potato in a medium bowl, while reserving the water. combine the mashed potato, potato water, 1/3 cup of sugar, shortening or oil, 1 tablespoon salt, and milk in a large bowl.
• make sure the milk mixture is warm, and add the yeast. stir in 15 cups of whole wheat flour.
• turn dough out a lightly floured surface. knead for about 10 minutes. place in greased bowl, and turn to coat the surface. cover with a damp cloth, and allow to rise until doubled. rising time will be about 1 1/2 hours. punch down, and knead again for 3 minutes. place back in bowl, and allow to rise again until doubled. the second rising period should be about 1 hour. punch down. form 4 loaves, and place into 9 x 5 inch greased bread pans. let dough rise again for 30 - 60 minutes.
• bake at 325 degrees f (165 degrees c) for 1 hour.