I think I killed the yeast!!

[Julpost]

After an hour, my bread dough hasn't risen. Not good news. I hate to throw away the dough since it has eggs and stuff in it. Any ideas of other ways to use it? Maybe a flat bread? Crackers?? Tortillas?

[Gretchen in NJ]

I thought that this happened to me last month. At the time, I was running out of the door to go to church, so I just left it in the oven with the light on. After we came back from church, it had risen completely. The dough took about 6 hours to rise.

It also took longer for the 2nd rise as well. I think that was about 3 hours.

Hopefully, it is just taking its own time.;)

Gretchen

[Carol in Cal.]

That means that you sprinkle it into 1/2 cup of lukewarm water in a mug, and add a tiny bit of sugar. Leave it alone for about 15 minutes, and it should bubble and 'work'. If it's not doing that, it's old or dead and you need to buy some more (maybe it expired?).

If it does 'proof' well, then pat out your dough on a floured board about 2 inches thick--it should be like a big, fat disk. Sprinkle the yeast mixture on the middle of it, and knead it in. Knead for 10 minutes or so, and then let it rise. The extra flour should be balanced by the proofing water, and the dough should be fine.

This will set you back about 45 minutes, but it's a lot better than no bread!

[Julpost]

It's good to know that the dough can be saved. I'll be more careful in the future, I'm sure the water was too hot this time. I had tested the temperature with my finger (the same as always) but was surprised to see steam rise up when I mixed it into the dough. I kind of had it in the back of my mind that I might have killed the yeast but was trying to remain optimistic!

[hana]

Ooh, yeah, the steam was definitely a bad sign. Sounds like you'll be able to rescue it, though. Aren't you glad you asked here before tossing it? :)