I’ve made this roll recipe several times a week now for at least a month. The original recipe is here. It’s called Olive Oil Bread Rolls. It’s a very sticky dough but it’s silky smooth!
Since we have roast beef and ham for sandwiches, I figured I’d better double the recipe today. I did and made 11 rolls that were 80 grams each. These were about perfect for a sandwich.
I was out working in the garden and had my phone with me. I have a standing alarm on my phone for 3 p.m. so I can remember to put drops in Rita’s eyes. When that alarm went off, I couldn’t believe it was already 3:00 and I hadn’t started the rolls for our sandwiches so I rushed in and started the recipe and by 6:15, we were eating and I had even let the rolls cool for about 20 minutes.
Yesterday there was a question about yeast. Today a reader left a nice comment about how she handles her yeast. Her way is probably better than my way but you know I don’t get real fired up about expiration dates. If it smells ok, there’s no color change, no bulging cans . . it gets used around here. The other day I did find a jar of yeast in the back of a cabinet and it had expired in 2012 if I remember correctly. I didn’t even plan on throwing that out but I smelled it and into the trash it went!
Yesterday when cleaning out the fridge, I came across a jar of yeast that had expired 7/2019. I use instant yeast and when I open a one pound bag, I pour it into a jar, write the expiration date on the lid and stick it in the fridge. When I’m making sourdough, I don’t use a lot of yeast so it’s easy for a jar of yeast to expire before being used – not to mention the keto diet definitely slows down my yeast usage!
Somehow, I had two jars of yeast in the fridge and one was just about empty. It’s the jar I’ve been using for the past month or so. This new jar – the expired jar, was about half full – probably about 8 oz. of yeast. I wasn’t about to throw it out without checking it. I could have placed it in a bit of warm water with some sugar and wait to see if it foamed but I like living on the edge (only in some very safe situations) so I used that older yeast in my rolls and I think you can see that it’s fine.
While I appreciate the value of expiration dates, they do not control my life or my cooking. As I was looking on the internet for info about expired yeast, I read a story of someone who found yeast that had been expired for 13 years, used it and it worked fine.
Now . . if I had company coming for dinner and the rolls were a major part of our meal, I would have grabbed a fresh bag of yeast. We had other bread we could have used for our dinner sandwiches so if the rolls had not risen, I would have dumped the dough and the older yeast and never missed a beat.
Please do not feel that expiration dates are written in stone and that yesterday, something was good and tomorrow, it isn’t. For many things, if they’ve been stored properly, they’re going to be fine well after the expiration date.
Tu-Na Quilts says
I too don’t pay a lot of attention to expired dates. Some labels say “sell by” and some say “use by” and some are written in code which I haven’t been able to crack yet.
Judy Laquidara says
I terribly dislike those codes. Just put the darned date on there and make it the date on which I should throw it out. No best buy; no sell by . . just a “die if you eat it after this date!” 🙂
Diane in CA says
Years ago, I called Little Debbie company to see how old some cookies were and they told me how to read their code. They said it is a manufacture date because they allow stores (like 99cent store) to freeze their products up to a year before selling them.
Tracy says
I was out of yeast a few weeks ago, but found some Cider yeast that was expired. It worked fine. A little research on google first though, as I was concerned it would add a weird flavor. Nope, the baking kills the yeast, so the flavors that would normally develop into cider flavors don’t get a chance to start. Beer yeast is okay too.
montanaclarks says
I won’t eat canned goods much past the expiration date and I do know that expired corn starch does not work but yesterday I made pizza using pizza sauce in a jar that had expired in 2017–we are still alive this morning!
Judy Laquidara says
I never even look at cornstarch dates. I have a big container that’s almost empty and I’m betting it’s long been expired. I’ll have to check it.
Judy Laquidara says
I just looked at the cornstarch I’m using and it expired in June, 2019 and it’s been fine. I think it’s weird that something expired doesn’t work for some and does work for other.
Nancy B says
Good thoughts, Judy. This is one of my “peeves” for lack of a better word…being ruled by arbitrary dates. Best by, sell by and used by do not mean spoiled by! In trying to use up things from pantry I recently made a cheesecake using baking chocolate with a date of 2012, cream cheese dated January, and cookies in the crust from 2019 sometime. It was yummy! I use my nose, eyes, and in this case I did taste a cookie first. Of course, I grew up in the era that pre-dates dates! ?
Judy Laquidara says
That’s exactly what I do unless it’s something I don’t want to keep . . some of the weird stuff I find in the pantry “Oh — it expired yesterday!” 🙂
Lina says
I keep extra yeast in the freezer.
Rebecca in SoCal says
I think it’s funny how some people are afraid of expiration dates. Like: it’s good today, but not tomorrow? Come on!
I’ve lived by “dairy is good for one week after its expiration date.” So far, so good!
I understand the “best by” date. Things can degrade over time, and they protect themselves by giving a cut-off time for top quality.
As long as you use your head and your senses, I think expiration dates are guidelines.
Judy Laquidara says
We’ve had issues with Aldi milk becoming rancid before the expiration date so we mostly buy our milk other places now but even milk very far from the expiration date, I still smell it before drinking it.
Rebecca in SoCal says
Oh, and I think I heard of someone opening a tin can of food from, like, WWI, and finding the contents edible. No statement was given as to the desirability; just wouldn’t poison you!
Judy Laquidara says
I’ve read that if the can isn’t bulging, rusty or spews when you open it, it should be ok but I’m not desperate enough to try it. I do have some soup that I canned well over 10 years go and we tried it the other day and it was still fine.
Susan Nixon says
As a friend says about speed limits, it’s just a guideline. LOL
norma huff says
How do you feel about your home canned veggies? I have green beans and some tomatoes that have been on the shelf for 6 years. I open them and if the lid pops then I feel the vegetable for firmness. Just wonder how you determine if it is too old?
Judy Laquidara says
Like you, if the lid is still sealed, they don’t smell bad, I use them. I have some I brought with me from MO and we’ve been here almost 9 years. I don’t hesitate to use them.