To Set Yeast Sponge

Warm a large mixing bowl and sift flour and salt into it. Make a well in the centre and strain in yeast and milk mixture. Then rock the bowl gently so that some of the flour falls down into the liquid, and shake an equal thickness of flour over the top so that the yeast is embedded warmly in the midst of the bowl of flour.

Cover the mixing bowl with waxed paper or foil and then with a clean wool blanket; stand it in a warm place for about 20 minutes to start the yeast working.