Chef John's Cuban Bread

Details

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon active dry yeast
• ½ cup warm water
• ½ cup flour
• 1 package active dry yeast
• 2 teaspoons white sugar
• ¾ cup warm water
• 3 tablespoons lard
• 2 teaspoons fine salt
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, or as needed - divided
• 1 tablespoon cornmeal
• Water to spray tops of loaves