In which Lissa whines at dough

[aibhinn]

Dear bread dough

Comments

[garpu]

what kind of bread dough are you making? I never use pre-packaged mixes. Is your water hot enough? It should be warm enough to feed to a baby (as tested on the inside of your wrist.) If it's too hot, it'll kill the yeast. If it's too cold, the yeast won't grow. If you keep your yeast in the fridge, letting it sit out on the counter to come to room temp might help, too. Also, letting it rise in a warm place (oven off but with the light on) can help.

[aibhinn]

It was a pre-packaged mix, because the from-scratch attempts I've made have never worked. :P The water might have been too cold, I guess; I don't have a candy thermometer to test it (need to get one of those). My yeast was in a cupboard, so it wasn't cold, and I just bought it yesterday and the expiration date is 2012, so it shouldn't have been dead. :P I've put it in the oven to see how that works.

[aibhinn]

Also: I've heard that salt kills yeast, but all bread recipes call for salt. Is there a trick to it?

[garpu]

Hrm. How much did you put in? a teaspoon or so for a loaf isn't unreasonable. It's more of an issue in things like sourdough. I'm guessing the water was either too hot or too cold. How long did you let it sit for? If it's cold in your place, it could take upwards of an hour. It isn't a sourdough is it? Those can take 4-8 for the first rise.

[kaffy_r]

Hmmm. As someone who just put two loaves up for their second rise, can I ask whether the place you put the bread to rise has drafts? If it's too cold, or to wet or dry, that can affect rising. Also, is this a ready made mix? Perhaps you could add a little sugar to the mix - that helps my dough. Also, how warm or cold was the yeast (and what kind of yeast - granulated, or cake? If yeast itself is too hot or cold, that can affect the turnout. Salt can inhibit rising, as well.)

[aibhinn]

No, no drafts, and I had it covered with a clean dish towel. It might be too cold, I guess. It *is* a ready-made mix with fresh yeast that I just bought, but I never thought of adding some sugar. The yeast was room-temperature, granulated, in a packet. I've put the bowl in the oven with the light on to see if that will help at all.

Also, see my above question to garpu: I'm told salt kills yeast, but every recipe I've seen includes salt. Is there a trick to how to add it so it doesn't kill off your yeast?

[kaffy_r]

You're right, there is a balance. Per "The Joy of Cooking":
As for salt and sugar, they make essential but brief entrances. Too much of either inhibits the range of the other actors.

In my recipe, I put 2T1t sugar in the water (and I use water that's rather more than lukewarm), then put 1.5 T of yeast in the water for 3 minutes. It doesn't all bloom by the time I mix in the flour, but it's started. (I also put in about 4.5T of melted butter and a beaten egg in, but that's me.)

[aibhinn]

So do you mix the salt in with the flour before you add it? Or do you add it last? Or what?

[sensiblecat]

These tips work for me:

Warm the mixing bowl with a splash of hot water before you start.
Put hot water in a smaller bowl and stand the bowl on top with the dough in it. I find this works brilliantly.
Instead of a towel, use clingfilm lightly oiled and fixed around the bowl with string or a rubber band (Tip from Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall - collect shower caps from hotels, they are perfect).
If all else fails, leave dough at room temperature overnight.

And I would urge you to avoid bread mixes. There is no real mystery to using the fresh ingredients. Get everything warm enough and you've cracked it. Yeast in any form is a living organism, a volatile ingredient, and even the experts have an inexplicable failure from time to time. Don't let it put you off.

Oh, and enjoy Christmas in your new home!

[wendymr]

I had to convert your temperatures to Centigrade... and brrr! I'd be sitting shivering in that!

[aibhinn]

*chuckle* If I had central heating, I might keep it a bit warmer, but I have baseboard heating, so I tend to wear sweaters and use blankets rather than use the heater. :)