Vegetarian Recipes - Ctabatta (Italian Bread) Recipe

  
 

Ciabatta (Italian Bread) Recipe

 

Ingredients

 

Makes 2 loaves

 

Bread Dough:

  • 1 oz/30 g fresh yeast or 2 (1/4-oz/7-g) packages active dry yeast

  • 1 tbsp warm water

  • 3 1/2 cups/500 g + 2 tbsp all-purpose/plain flour

  • 1 cup/250 ml water

  • 1/2 tsp natural or organic honey

  • 1/2 cup/125 ml water

  • 1 tsp salt

  • 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

  • durum wheat flour, to dust              

Method:

  1. Dissolve the yeast in the water and set aside for 15 minutes, until foamy.

  2. Sift the 3 1/3 cups (500 g) of flour into a large bowl. Mix in the yeast mixture and enough water to make a smooth dough.

  3. Knead until smooth and elastic. Place in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rest for 18 hours. Turn the dough out onto a surface.

  4. Dissolve the honey in the water. Stir in the remaining flour and salt. Knead the honey mixture into the dough.

  5. Transfer to an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for 30 minutes. Shape into two ciabatta loaves. Cover and let rise for 1 hour.

  6. Preheat the oven to 425°F/220°C/gas 7. Dust the loaves with durum wheat flour. Place on a baking sheet.

  7. Bake for 10 minutes. Lower the oven temperature to 350°F/180°C/gas 4 and bake for 40 minutes more.