Bread Machine yeast
OK new to bread making, just got a Zojirushi bread machine. I am so new I don't really understand yet the ingrediants, so I did manage to find some Fleischmann's bread Yeast. I now understand it is actual like an instant yeast. Anyways as I understand you shouldn't let it touch water but add it too the dry ingrediants. But so far my best white bread came out when I found a website recipe that told me to put the yeast in hot water and let stand for ten minutes then add flour etc..so my question is why did this bread come out so good when I wasn't suppose to let this type of yeast I had, touch water....scatching my head on this one. The bread did come out really high, was that the only side effect of using bread yeast like it was regular active dry yeast.
Keeping the yeast isolated from the wet ingredients in bread machine recipes is primarily for the benefit when using the delayed start function. In that case, it makes sense to delay activation of the yeast until the ingredients are ready to be mixed, in possibly several hours.
If the dough is going to be mixed immediately, it's not really a matter to be concerned with.
Thank you, that makes sense. Another question...I am using this yeast, third one down in the bottle
http://www.breadworld.com/products.aspx
Should be using the quick setting instead of the basic bake setting, trying to figure out if this is an instant yeast or not. This yeast thing is very confusing.
My opinion is that is just instant yeast. I think they(Rapid Rise, Instant, Bread machine) are essentially the same item, except for the manner of packaging. That is how I read it. Having said that, I personally have not used the Fleischman's yeast.
I have only used Lasaffre's Red Star Quick Rise "highly active" yeast in envelopes and their SAF Red(instant) in 1# bulk package. I have also tried Kroger store brand bread machine yeast in the 4 oz. jar. I noticed no difference in how any of these performed in the recipes that I have used. I just use them in all in your typical recipes that call for instant yeast. They all performed the same, and just as expected for the recipes.
I will add that I have a bread machine(cheaper Sunbeam), but was so disappointed with the results of my first loaf that I never used it to "bake" another loaf. It did an excellent job in mixing and kneading dough, however.
Never was interested in the "quick" setting either, as I have read it makes a relatively denser bread, regardless.
Don't be afraid to experiment though, with different recipes, methods, and ingredients to find out what works for you.
Good luck.