Stretching your yeast out / making do

[Frodo]

I know some of you are making your own bread.
I also do. I also ferment corn and make a drop or 2
With the crazies in the stores buying everything they see, I thought i would share my tip on stretching out your yeast.
Most recipes call for a packet of yeast. Well, 1st, take your yeast out of the fridge and let it come to room temp
pour some warm water in a coffee cup, add a 1/4 of the yeast pack. seal the unused yeast up in a mason jar, put it in the fridge for later
in your cup. add a couple spoonfuls of sugar,
the yeast should multiply wait about an hour then pour that into your flour

 

[SheepDog]

Frodo,
I use sourdough starter - no separate yeast required. I keep it happy and fed so it will last for ages.

 

[ClemKadiddlehopper]

Yeast can be bought in 1 lb. vacuum packed blocks. Kept in the freezer, it will keep indefinitely. Once opened, it will still keep in the freezer. I keep 5 blocks at all times. Those little packets are a waste of money and take up too much room.

And there is sourdough as mentioned by SheepDog. There is also the cake version called friendship cake. You can always have your bread and cake and eat it too.

 

[dademoss]

Sourdough starter here too, it's been around for a lot of years Works for bread, pancakes and such, might have to try it for "other purposes", like a nice wine.

Usually use Lalvin EC-1118 for "other purposes", it's in the freezer without issues.

 

[Amish Heart]

Need to do a sourdough starter, never have. But I have 4 of those blocks in the fridge, and one opened that I'm using.

 

[Weedygarden]

Need to do a sourdough starter, never have. But I have 4 of those blocks in the fridge, and one opened that I'm using.

How long does one of the blocks last you?

 

[Amish Heart]

A couple of months. We make bread and pizza dough fairly often. I suspect we'll be making more bread since I only have a loaf and a pkg of hamburger buns in the freezer.

 

[Double R]

Thanks for the tip Frodo!
Just ordered a couple bricks more for the freezer. Wish I could get my hands on sourdough starter and figure it out.

 

[ClemKadiddlehopper]

You get your hands on starter by making it yourself. There are lots of instructions on the internet and you probably have what you need, already.

 

[Double R]

You get your hands on starter by making it yourself. There are lots of instructions on the internet and you probably have what you need, already.

I will give it a look! Thanks! Were on lockdown anyways so good time to give it a go.

 

[SheepDog]

Water and flour. Stir twice daily.
Each day remove half of the mixture and replace it with equal parts water and flour.
Do that until it bubbles up in a day. Then add a cup of water and a cup of flour let it proof. Separate the starter in two parts and use one to make some bread using water, flour, salt and pepper. The pepper isn't needed I just think it tastes better. Feed your starter. The more often you use it the more you need on hand. I keep two starters going.

 

[dademoss]

The pepper isn't needed I just think it tastes better.

Pepper? Never heard that THANKS.