Is it possible to freeze yeast dough and how to properly preserve yeast dough
The question of how to store yeast dough, sooner or later, is asked by any housewife who knows how and loves to bake pies. Often after kneading, unused yeast mass remains. What to do with her? Save until it is needed again. How to do it right? The answer depends on how long the "separation" is planned. If you need the dough in the next day or two, you can store it in the refrigerator. If it takes longer to wait for the nearest pies, then it is better to freeze it.
To help - a refrigerator
The refrigerator is an indispensable household appliance that allows you to increase the shelf life of almost any product. And the dough is no exception. How much it can be there depends on the composition of the kneaded mass. The yeast test, which is discussed in the article, contains yeast, the property of which is a tendency to ferment.
Due to the temperature range (+2 - + 7 ° С) that is maintained in the refrigerator, fermentation slows down and the souring process is not as fast as at room temperature. Thus, storage in the refrigerator gives the yeast mass a “delay” per day, in extreme cases, two days. If you leave the mixed mass there for a longer time, it will turn sour and no pies will work.
Consider step by step how to properly store yeast dough in the refrigerator:
- So that the mass does not go cold and does not become covered with a dark hard crust, you should correctly select the appropriate container. The dough is stored in the refrigerator in a plastic bag, enameled bowl, covered with a layer of food film or a vacuum container. The main thing is that air does not get on its surface.
- With a plastic bag, everything is simple: you need to put dough in it and tie it. For fidelity, you can put on top of the first package another.
- Before you put the mass in a bowl or container, you should sprinkle the surface of the bottom and walls with flour. Then put the mass there and close hermetically.
- Now you should leave the packaged test mass on the shelf located at the very top in the refrigerator.
Tip: if during the time allotted for safe storage of the dough in the refrigerator, it was not possible to make pies from it, you can freeze the mass while it remains fresh. Then at any time it will be possible to unfreeze it and create a culinary masterpiece without any problems.
Faithful Friend - Freezer
You can increase the shelf life of self-cooked dough by placing it in the freezer. How much can it maintain freshness and characteristic qualities? Under the right conditions - 3 months. And if we talk about how much the purchased frozen dough is stored, then its period is increased by 2 times. That is, it can lie in the freezer for six months (from the date of manufacture) without loss of quality.
Properly selected conditions are a constant temperature of -18 ° C. In an ordinary freezer, as a rule, it is held at this mark. Although a lot depends on the age and type of refrigerator. The older the appliance, the worse it starts to freeze. If the dough lies in the freezer with a common door, which is often opened in order to get this or that product, the temperature also rises from time to time. Therefore, in an ordinary two-door domestic refrigerator with a common freezer, yeast dough can be stored for up to 2-3 months.
Consider step by step how to prepare the yeast dough for storage:
- Divide the test mass into batch slices. That is, one piece should be enough for one preparation. This is because thawed yeast dough is not re-frozen.
- Powder each bite with flour.
- Put each piece in a plastic bag.You can also use a special package for freezing. Tie a bag.
- Put the packages with the yeast mass in the refrigerator on the lower shelf - let it cool slightly.
- Transfer the chilled dough to the freezer. If it has compartments that are closed by a separate door, place the dough in one of them.
On the Internet you can find many ways that describe the process of defrosting yeast dough. They vary in time, the minimum is 3-5 minutes. However, experts say that in order for the dough to retain all its properties and subsequently ascend well, it should be thawed for at least 2 hours. This is done in the refrigerator.
Cooling and freezing are two ways to extend the "life" of the yeast dough. So cook it for the future, properly store and pamper your loved ones with new pastries every day!