| Prep: 2 hours | Cook: 20 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 295 | 3g | 0g | 58g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 3g | 2g | 10g | 0.8g |
About Ciabatta
Ciabatta, your next gastronomic delight, offers an Italian bread experience that both novices and experienced cooks will become enamoured with. Born in the Veneto region in Italy, this bread, with its characteristic crisp crust and porous, moist interior, evokes distant sunny olive groves and bustling Italian markets. Beyond the taste adventure, the journey of creating your own ciabatta is a sensory roller coaster, from the heady aroma of the yeast and the silky touch of the bread flour to the sizzle of extra virgin olive oil that drapes on its golden crust.
A Tasty Journey
The magic of ciabatta lies in the seemingly basic ingredients that come together to form a bread that is beautifully complex in nature. It takes simple elements – dry yeast, sugar, warm water, bread flour, and salt, and transforms them into an artisanal masterpiece. It’s the sensory hints – the subtle sweetness of the sugar, the comforting warmth of fresh bread, and that heart-stopping moment when the yeast starts to bubble – that distinguishes this bread from its counterparts.
To add the final touch, a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil imparts a note of Mediterranean richness to its crust. Remember, the quality of your olive oil can make all the difference!
Culinary Combinations
As versatile as it is delicious, ciabatta proudly holds its own with a vast array of gastronomic partners. Its robust structure and absorbent interior make it a favorite accompaniment to hearty Italian soups like minestrone, sopping up every last delicious drop. The same characteristics also make it ideal for sandwiches, especially when they are layered with saucy, juicy ingredients.
If you’ve ever enjoyed a classic Italian Panini, you’ve likely experienced the delights of ciabatta. Yet, its list of suitors doesn’t stop there. This bread’s chewy texture is excellent when employed in bread salads, most notably in the classic Tuscan Panzanella. In this dish, the bread absorbs the tomato juices, vinegar, and olive oil dressing, culminating in a beautiful mishmash of flavors to relish.
Whether you’re a burgeoning home cook trying to mark your culinary legacy or just love the sheer joy of biting into a piece of artisanal bread, ciabatta is the perfect loaf to master. From its deeply rewarding creation to the ultimate classic taste, this Italian treasure brings us closer to exquisitely simple and authentic Italian cooking.
What You’ll Need
- 2 teaspoons dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
- 3 1/2 cups bread flour, plus extra for dusting
- 2 teaspoons salt
- Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
Method
Step One
Take a large bowl and combine the dry yeast, sugar, and warm water. Stir the mixture well and let it sit for about 5 minutes or until it creates a frothy layer on top. This is to make sure that the yeast is active.
Step Two
Add the bread flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir the ingredients together until they are mixed well. The dough should come together in a sticky mass.
Step Three
On a well-floured surface, knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic. This usually takes about 10 minutes. Add more flour as needed to prevent the dough from sticking to the surface and your hands.
Step Four
Once the dough is well-kneaded, place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 to 2 hours or until it has doubled in size.
Step Five
After the dough has risen, gently deflate it and transfer it onto a floured surface. Cut the dough into two halves and shape each one into a somewhat flat and elongated loaf, similar to the shape of a slipper. Place the loaves onto a baking sheet that’s been dusted with flour.
Step Six
Let the loaves rise uncovered for another hour or so. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (230 degrees Celsius).
Step Seven
Before placing the Ciabatta in the oven, make several diagonal slits on their surfaces. This allows the steam to escape during baking, giving the bread its characteristic texture. Bake for about 25 minutes or until the loaves are golden brown.
Step Eight
Once baked, take the Ciabatta out of the oven and let them cool on a wire rack. Drizzle with some extra virgin olive oil before serving.
