Ciabatta Bread Recipe

Ingredients

For the Bread

• 2 c organic bread flour
• 1/2 tsp dry active yeast
• 1.5 tsp sea salt
• 11 tbsp filtered water
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp warm plant milk

For the Starter (Biga)

• 1 c organic bread flour
• 1/3 c filtered water at room temperature
• 1/8 tsp active dry yeast
• 2 tbsp warm water

Instructions

Make the Starter

1. Make your starter the night before you plan to bake the bread.
2. Mix together the yeast with 2 tablespoons of warm water. Allow it to stand for a few minutes.
3. 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.

Make the Ciabatta

1. Use your stand mixer and combine the yeast and the warm plant milk. Let it sit for a few minutes until creamy.
2. Add the starter, olive oil, flour, sea salt and water and mix together for about 10 minutes until everything is incorporated.
3. 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.
4. Turn the bread dough onto a well floured surface and with floured hands cut it in half. Form 2 long loaves.
5. Transfer them to a parchment lined baking sheet.
6. Optional step: Flour your fingers well and create dimples in the top of the loaves. Sprinkle with some flour.
7. Lightly dampen a tea towel and cover the loaves. Allow them to rise again until doubled in size, up to 2 hours. 
8. Meanwhile preheat your oven to 425� F with a Pizza Stone in the center for 1 hour before planning to bake the bread.
9. 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. 
10. Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool completely before slicing it with a serrated knife.

Recipe Notes

#1 To get a crusty loaf make sure to use a pizza stone and also create some steam in the oven by placing a dish filled with water on the bottom as the oven heats up. Add more water if needed before baking the bread. Allow the loaves to cool inside the oven after baking with the oven door slightly open.

#2 If you don't have a stand mixer just use a wooden spoon to mix the dough together, it will appear to be more difficult this way as we are dealing with a wet dough. 

This article and recipe adapted from this site

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