tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2554175426225559559.post2321785453382885247..comments2012-07-01T13:14:05.779-07:00Comments on So Many Noms: Dead Breadbekkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11562931159076854647noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2554175426225559559.post-8927513054251457122011-05-30T11:55:45.741-07:002011-05-30T11:55:45.741-07:00I use jarred yeast, and I always proof it in warm ...I use jarred yeast, and I always proof it in warm water with sugar first - it's nice and bubbly every time! I sometimes use the warm oven thing, but then I worry about it getting too warm and turn it off. <br /><br />Laura, I think you're right about the bread machine. It's a pretty bulky appliance that would only get used for one thing, but if I'm serious about making bread regularly it would be worth it. Thanks for the tips, guys!glitter fiendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16322750461334203245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2554175426225559559.post-25140796981423831872011-05-29T15:53:27.574-07:002011-05-29T15:53:27.574-07:00one of these years i'm going to bite the bulle...one of these years i'm going to bite the bullet and buy a jar of yeast.Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13826932635166933072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2554175426225559559.post-66694539961120228102011-05-29T11:34:43.364-07:002011-05-29T11:34:43.364-07:00One more thing about yeast... you probably know th...One more thing about yeast... you probably know this already, but at the beginning, do you treat it with water and sugar to make sure it's bubbly/alive?bekkahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11562931159076854647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2554175426225559559.post-71002545160679126872011-05-29T11:23:50.676-07:002011-05-29T11:23:50.676-07:00I definitely agree with Laura on all counts. My ol...I definitely agree with Laura on all counts. My old house was always cold (we didn't have a heater) and I made bread in the winter and would let it rise in a warmed oven. A bread machine is even better because they control the temperature and the kneading. You can set it to just dough so you don't get that annoying bread machine shape. I got mine for $15 on craigslist. They are always on there pretty cheap. It's exactly the kind of thing people like to buy (or get for their wedding) and then never use. <br /><br />I know you said yeast wasn't your problem, but I like to use the kind of yeast that comes in a jar as opposed to the kind in the packets. If you close it tightly each time, it'll last in the fridge for months.<br /><br />Good luck!bekkahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11562931159076854647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2554175426225559559.post-78234027363981800252011-05-29T06:38:17.876-07:002011-05-29T06:38:17.876-07:00regarding warm spots, how about the area above the...regarding warm spots, how about the area above the refrigerator? or turn the oven on to its lowest setting, then once it's heated start making the dough. turn it off and plop the dough in to rise.<br /><br />also, hit Goodwill for a bread machine. we use ours mostly for the batter part of the process - if it's a specialty style loaf, i'll pull the dough out and form it by hand. it saves time and wrists doing it that way, and bread machines are usually easier to find for cheaps.<br /><br />the only thing i don't like about it is it's a bit of a unitasker. if you're definitely interested in getting a mixer instead, i know Amazon sells steeply discounted (like half off refurb) Kitchen Aid mixers around Black Friday.Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13826932635166933072noreply@blogger.com