I have read, and I’m not sure if it’s true, that letting your yeast come to room temperature before adding it will help your bread rise. I’m still a bread-making novice myself,though.

By Lynnae on Jun 2, 2008

I’ve been making bread for my family for about a year now, but I cheat and use a bread machine! And am still a novice.

My first question was did you use warm water to mix with the yeast? Was your yeast expired? Also, did you let it do the second rise after you put it in the pan?

It took me a few tries to find a loaf of bread that my hubby would like. Keep trying and don’t give up!!

As far as my frugal tip, I’m working to make everything I can from scratch. Using coupons, and stacking them with sales. I’m turning off lights and unpluggling things when I’m not using them.

I can’t wait to hear about everyone else’s frugal tips!

By Amber on Jun 2, 2008

Don’t feel bad about your thermostat! I don’t know what part of the country you live in, but depending on the heat and humidity, sometimes it’s just better to be a little cooler.

My apartment only gets direct sunlight in the evenings. Here in Pittsburgh, it’s not humid and it never feels hot (except for like 1 or 2 weeks).

Plus, I usually feel cold, so I like it to be on the warmer side.

But not everyone likes that temp! Just do what ya gotta do.

By Kacie on Jun 2, 2008

If your water is too hot you will kill your yeast and it won’t rise, but if it’s not warm enough it won’t activate it. It’s a little tricky but you’ll eventually get the hang of it.

I read the recipe you used and whenever I made bread from different recipes, I always had to punch down the dough after it sat for an hour and then knead it again. Then let it rest again and then punch it down, roll it out and up, then then have it rise in the pan. I also know that if you don’t knead it enough then the yeast won’t work as well.

As far as what we do to save money. We use cloth diapers. A few months ago I had to stop because my daughter got a bad rash and the Dr. recommended using disposables until it cleared. I tried only getting them from CVS when they did ECB deals but they were few and far between, so I ended up buying them and even getting generics the money added up. Cloth diapers really do save money and it’s just a little extra laundry every few days.

I also use cloth pads. It might sound gross but it’s really not. It does save money over time and it’s better for the environment (like cloth diapers).

By Jackie on Jun 2, 2008

If you bought the yeast in a baking aisle, you don’t necessarily have to keep them refridgerated, unless you buy a jar, and then you have to refridgerate after opening. I buy Instant Dry Yeast, bulk at Sam’s club, so I don’t know too much about the yeast packets. Yay for getting them for free!!

It does sound as though your water was too hot. If I recall correctly it should be about 110 degrees. I say try again, and see how it goes!

Jackie, I’ve been thinking about trying cloth pads. Do you like them? Do they hold as much as typical pads/tampons or do you have to change them more frequently? Sorry if those questions are TMI!!

By Amber on Jun 2, 2008

I have so many frugal tips I have gleaned from sites like yours and sevral others. One thing I do is make a paste of baking soda and use this as a face wash. It gently exfoliates and leaves my skin radiant and blemish free. I learned this from a plastic surgeon. He sold a very expensive skin care line, but he knew I was on a major money diet, and gave me this tip with a little wink of his eye. I also brown bag my lunch and this has saved me a small fortune. I get an employee discount on my cell phone which lowered my bill by 12.00 per month and I apply that to my debt reduction amount. We make our own dog food and that also saves us a tremendous amount of money over the commercial brand. It is so much healthier too as we control the ingredients. I buy organic for my husband and myself because as a nurse, I know what goes in my body is very important. Where I save money is not buying organic on things I plan on peeling….bananas, canteloupe, watermelon, etc. But things like peaches, strawberries, all berries actually…I buy generic and pay a little more. I justify this even further by the fact we don’t eat out not just to save money, but because we really don’t enjoy it all that much. Our homemade food is so much more delicious. We also put out a huge garden and eat fresh all summer and well into fall. We use a breadmaker and make great bread and pizza dough. We also buy our products in bulk as we bake nearly every weekend. I keep a sourdough starter going all the time.My husband is a mechanic and jack of all trades so he keeps the oil changed in the vehicles, does all the minor repairs around the house and yard, put in new insulated windows and doors and weatherstripping, increased the insulation in the attic. We really saw a difference in our heating bills over the winter. He barters for services in the neighborhood. We got our garden tilled and the neighbor got free oil changes.
That’s enough for now. Oh, windy little me!

By Jean on Jun 2, 2008

I looked at that recipe and there’s too many ingredients in there for me, as well as too many steps.
It looks pretty in a loaf pan though. I may have to try it.

here’s what i do for a simple crusty bread:
6.5 cups of flour
3 cups of lukewarm water
1.5 tablespoons kosher salt
1.5 tablespoons dry yeast.

put the flour in a large mixing bowl.
dissolve the salt in the water.
whisk the yeast into the water.

pour the water into the flour.
mix up till there’s no dry flour.
cover and let sit for 3 hrs.
you can fold it down a couple of times if you want moving from the sides to the center.

when it’s done rising pour out to a floured surface. divide into 3 parts. You can refrigerate whatever you aren’t going to use for a few days to a week.
pick up one of the parts and form into a round loaf rolling the sides under keeping your hands floured.
you should end up with a 5-6″ round loaf.
put it on a pizza peel covered with enough cornmeal so that it doesn’t stick.
You can actually shape it anyway you want. I’ve made dinner rolls and baguette’s with this recipe.
the oven will need to be 450F. make sure you preheat your pizza stone if you have one, or you can put it on a cookie sheet.
put a pan of hot or boiling water on the bottom rack and put the loaves in the oven for about 30 minutes or till they turn brown.

This makes excellent crusty bread that while it isn’t great for toast or sammiches, it’s perfect with dinner.

By Blackneto on Jun 2, 2008

Oh and as for saving money.
This summer we are going to try to learn how to live with the temperature higher.
Like you, I kept it at 72F. I work in a datacenter at 70 all night. it’s hard to adjust.

By Blackneto on Jun 2, 2008

I nearly said ‘put on a sweater’ and then I realised that you were probably talking about heat, not cold. Where I am it’s getting colder by the day.

There’s a small book called ‘How to pay off your mortgage in five years (from someone who did it in three)’. She gives a whole host of budget-saving ideas, including how to make your own dog food (which another commenter mentioned).

Also, that thick un-yeasty bread…hope you’re not throwing it out? Slice it thin and toast it. Heavy bread like that makes awesomely crunchy toast!

By chosha on Jun 8, 2008

I had the same reaction when I heard the recommended themostat setting is 78 degrees. I even know folks who leave it on 80. I just don’t know how they do it. If our temp gets above 74 I start getting really cranky. And know way I’m sleeping with it 78 degrees in the house.

Can’t help you on the bread, even though I would like to try to make some myself. If you get it figured out give us a follow up post!

By Frugal Dad on Jun 12, 2008