Italian ciabatta bread
Description
Perfectly pairs with tea and coffee. Italian yeast bread can be baked with various added ingredients. Chiabatta turns out especially tasty with Provencal herbs or simply fresh greens. Sometimes you can add cheese or even onion with bacon. I suggest you first try making classic Italian chiabatta bread without additions. The main secret is to let the dough rest and rise properly, so be patient. Serve warm or cooled. Ideal with tea.
Instructions
- 1
Step 1
Dissolve the yeast in warm water, add a little flour and salt. Then gradually add the remaining flour and knead the dough. The ciabatta dough should be quite soft and wet. Don't worry if it sticks to your hands or feels too loose.
- 2
Step 2
When all the ingredients are mixed, I suggest kneading the dough well by hand. Then leave it covered with a towel at room temperature for about 10 hours, ideally overnight.
- 3
Step 3
After 10 hours, you will notice that the dough has increased in volume.
- 4
Step 4
Place plastic wrap on the surface, and to prevent it from slipping, moisten the surface with water. Sprinkle the plastic wrap with flour, making it much easier to work with the dough.
- 5
Step 5
Literally pour the dough onto the film.
- 6
Step 6
Although the dough seems liquid and soft, it holds its shape and does not spread.
- 7
Step 7
Dust the dough with flour and shape it into a loaf (or two, then they will be smaller in size).
- 8
Step 8
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and brush it with olive oil. Carefully transfer the loaf onto the baking sheet, cover with a towel, and let rise for another 2 hours. Don't worry if the dough looks flat—it will rise during baking.
- 9
Step 9
Bake the ciabatta at 220°C for 30-35 minutes. To prevent the bread from burning, place a pan of water on the lower rack.
- 10
Step 10
Let the finished Italian ciabatta bread cool down, then it will be easier to slice.
- 11
Step 11
Aromatic and delicious Italian ciabatta bread can be served with any dish, and it's very tasty even on its own!