I've made bread a zillion times and for a pound of flour you're going to need the whole package of yeast (2 1/4 t if you're using bulk yeast) for it to rise properly. With a teaspoon you'll end up with an interestingly-shaped doorstop.
The simplest explanation is that you had a bad package of yeast, even if the expiration date hadn't been reached yet. This can happen.
Other potential problems --
The water temperature when you proofed the yeast might have been off. Until you've done it enough to be dead certain, you should use a candy thermometer to check the temperature of the water -- it should be between 90 and 110. If it's too cold, the yeast won't activate properly. If it's too hot, you'll kill the yeast. One clue that your water temperature is off is that the yeast isn't getting properly foamy when it proofs -- it should get nice and puffy sort of like the foam on a root beer float, but with some substance to it. You should always mix sugar/honey in with the yeast before adding water so that the yeast has something to feed on. Generally you should let it sit at least 5 minutes but no more than 10.
Another possibility is that the water you used was too salty (which can happen if you use tap water). Too much salt will kill off the yeast. You should only add about a teaspoon of salt per loaf of bread, and it should be mixed well with the flour before you add the yeast.
Although not very likely, it might also be that since you didn't use the food processor, the yeast just didn't get mixed in well enough. Bread dough should be kneaded for a minimum of 5 minutes if you're doing it by hand, but 10 minutes is much more satisfactory.
Don't be discouraged -- give it another shot and see how it goes. Breadmaking isn't that hard, but it isn't necessarily mastered on the first shot, either. If you plan on doing much bread-making I would buy yeast in jars instead of the packets. I buy Red Star yeast (non-rapid-rise) and it works great.
--------------------
jen
"It's one of the most serious things that can possibly happen to one in a battle -- to get one's head cut off." -- LC
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
Posts
don't reduce the yeast
