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Tasty Apprentice
Are you yearning for fresh, rustic bread straight from your oven? This homemade Ciabatta recipe guarantees airy, chewy bread with a crisp crust, perfect for sandwiches or dipping in olive oil. Once you taste this homemade version, you may never go back to store-bought! 
Ingredients:
Ingredients:
- 500g bread flour
- 10g salt
- 7g instant yeast
- 400ml lukewarm water
- Extra flour for dusting
Directions:
- Prepare the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine bread flour, salt, and instant yeast.
- Gradually add lukewarm water while mixing with a spoon until a sticky dough forms.
- Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for 10 minutes.
- Knead the Dough:
- After resting, knead the dough either in the bowl or on a lightly floured surface for about 10-15 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Shape the dough into a ball and place it back into the bowl. Cover with the kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1.5 to 2 hours or until doubled in size.
- Shape and Proof:
- Once risen, turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface. Gently stretch and fold the dough into a rectangle about 30x20cm.
- Using a bench scraper or knife, divide the dough into two equal portions.
- Transfer each portion onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, stretching them slightly to maintain the rectangular shape. Dust with flour and cover loosely with the kitchen towel. Let rise for another 1 hour.
- Bake:
- Preheat your oven to 220Β°C (430Β°F). Place an empty baking dish or cast iron skillet on the bottom rack of the oven.
- Carefully slide the risen dough, still on the parchment paper, onto a baking stone or directly onto the middle oven rack.
- Pour a cup of hot water into the empty baking dish or skillet to create steam and quickly close the oven door to trap the steam.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Tips:
- For extra flavor, add herbs like rosemary or thyme to the dough before the first rise.
- Ciabatta is perfect for sandwiches, bruschetta, or simply dipped in olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Enjoy your freshly baked Ciabatta bread!
