Italian Ciabatta Bread Recipes

HOMEMADE ITALIAN CIABATTA BREAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl 1/4 cup of water, honey and yeast, let sit 5 minutes then stir.
• In a large bowl add the flour , make a well in the centre and add the yeast mixture and 1/2 cup of water (if too dry then add the extra 1/4 cup 1 tablespoon at a time until you reach a wettish dough). Mix together with a wood spoon, when almost mixed add the salt and combine. The dough will be loose and sticky. Sprinkle the top with 1 1/2 tablespoons of flour.
• Cover the bowl with a large tea towel, place in a warm, draft free area and let rise for 1 1/2 hours.
• Pre-heat oven to 425F (220C), line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and sprinkle with 1 1/2 tablespoons of flour.
• Carefully move the dough from the bowl to the prepared cookie sheet, making sure that the floured top of the dough remains on the top.
• With a spatula form the dough into an oblong loaf, place 5 or 6 ice cubes on a pan on the bottom of the oven to create vapor or add the pan when pre-heating the oven and pour 1 cup of very hot water into the pan before adding the dough. Bake for approximately 20 - 25 minutes. Let cool and serve. Enjoy!

CIABATTA BREAD RECIPE

Steps:

• Make your starter the night before you plan to bake the bread.Mix together the yeast with 2 tablespoons of warm water. Allow it to stand for a few minutes.
• In a medium size mixing bowl stir together the yeast mixture with the flour and the water until combined. Cover with plastic wrap and allow it to sit at room temperature overnight. If preparing it in the morning then let it sit until evening and up to 24 hours.
• Use your stand mixer and combine the yeast and the warm plant milk. Let it sit for a few minutes until creamy.Add the starter, olive oil, flour, sea salt and water and mix together for about 10 minutes until everything is incorporated.
• Prepare a large bowl lightly oiled with olive oil. Transfer the bread dough to it and cover with plastic wrap. Allow it to sit until doubled in size, up to 2 hours.
• Turn the bread dough onto a well floured surface and with floured hands cut it in half. Form 2 long loaves.
• Transfer them to a parchment lined baking sheet.
• Optional step: Flour your fingers well and create dimples in the top of the loaves. Sprinkle with some flour.
• Lightly dampen a tea towel and cover the loaves. Allow them to rise again until doubled in size, up to 2 hours.
• Meanwhile preheat your oven to 425" F with a Pizza Stone in the center for 1 hour before planning to bake the bread.Transfer one of the loaves to the preheated pizza stone (together with the parchment paper) and bake for about 25 minutes until golden brown to your liking.
• Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool completely before slicing it with a serrated knife.

TRADITIONAL ITALIAN CIABATTA BREAD

Steps:

• First make the biga, in a medium bowl combine the flour and yeast then add the water and stir to combine. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rise in a cool dry area for 8-12 hours. If your house is on the warm side then place the biga in the fridge for 8-12 hours, remove from the fridge and let it come to room temperature for about 45-60 minutes.
• In the bowl of the stand up mixer whisk together the flour, yeast and salt, then add the water and biga. With the flat beaters mix until the mixture starts to come together for about 2-3 minutes. Then switch to the dough hook and knead for another 3 minutes. This is a soft sticky dough.
• With the help of a spatula place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm draft free area for about one hour or until doubled in bulk.
• Move the dough to floured flat surface, sprinkle the top of the dough with flour and divide into two parts. Form each part into an oblong shape, place on parchment paper that is lightly sprinkled with flour, then lightly sprinkle the dough with flour. Cover with a clean tea towel and let rise 1 hour or until doubled in bulk.
• Place a baking sheet (upside down) or a baking stone in the oven, and an empty oven proof cake pan on the bottom of the oven, then pre-heat the oven to 450F (230C)
• Before putting the dough in the oven add either a cup of boiling water or some ice cubes (about 8) in the cake pan, then quickly & carefully place the parchment paper and bread on the cookie sheet or baking stone and bake for approximately 20 minutes.Move the baked bread immediately to a wire rack to cool. Enjoy!