Ciabatta Bread
A simple and rewarding ciabatta bread recipe that yields a beautifully crusted loaf. Perfect for sandwiches or dipping in olive oil.
Ingredients
Bread Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour Around 500g; cheap store brand is fine.
- 1.5 tsp instant yeast About 5g.
- 1.75 cups warm water Around 410ml; ensure it's warm but not hot.
- 2 tsp salt About 10g.
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil About 45ml; quality matters for flavor.
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt.
- In another bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water.
- Gradually mix the yeast mixture into the flour until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until smooth.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for about an hour or until doubled.
- Punch down the dough, divide it into two pieces, and shape each into an oval loaf.
- Let loaves rise on a parchment-lined baking sheet for another 30-45 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C), drizzle loaves with olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt, then bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
Notes
Let the loaves cool completely before cutting. They can be stored at room temperature in a clean kitchen towel for 1-2 days. Freeze extra slices in a zip bag for longer storage.