Ciabatta (Italian Slipper Bread)

May 10, 2023May 10, 20230 15
Freshly baked Ciabatta bread recipe for your next dinner party
in Bread

Prep

30 min

Cook

25 min

Ready In

4 hours

Level

Difficult

Rating

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
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Ingredients

1/8 teaspoon active dry yeast
2 tablespoons water
1/3 cup room-temp water
1 cup bread flour
1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast
2 tablespoons warm milk
2/3 cup room-temp water
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups bread flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe
8
Calories
191
Sugar
1.5g
Fat
2g
Ciabatta bread hails from Italy's Lake Como region, where it was first baked in response to the growing popularity of French baguettes. Unlike most of the traditional Italian bread, Ciabatta loaves are flat rather than round. It's a perfect bread to serve when you want to get creative with toppings. You can turn it into a mini pizza by adding tomato sauce and cheese or add your favorite meats for a sandwich. You can also slice them into smaller pieces and serve with dips or hummus as an appetizer for your guests.

Instructions

1.In a small bowl, dissolve 1/8 teaspoon active dry yeast in 2 tablespoons water.
2.In a large bowl, combine 1/3 cup room temperature water and 1 cup bread flour.
3.Add dissolved yeast mixture to the large bowl, mixing well.
4.Cover the bowl with a towel and leave it to rise for an hour.
5.In another small bowl, dissolve 1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast in warm milk.
6.After an hour, add this mixture to the large bowl along with 2/3 cup room temperature water, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and 2 cups bread flour.
7.Mix well to form a sticky dough.
8.Cover it with a towel and let it rest for 10-15 minutes.
9.Add 1 1/2 teaspoons salt to the dough and knead it for 10 minutes.
10.Cover it and let it rise for 2 hours in a warm, draft-free spot.
11.Preheat the oven to 425°F and place a baking dish filled with water inside. This will create steam, which will help the bread develop a chewy crust.
12.Dust a baking sheet with flour and transfer the dough onto it.
13.Shape it into a rectangle and let it rest for 15-20 minutes.
14.Using a sharp knife or razor blade, cut slits into the dough.
15.Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
16.Remove from the oven, let it cool and slice into desired size.

PROS

Ciabatta bread is airier and lighter than many other breads, making it perfect for sandwiches or as a side with soups or stews.
Its rustic appearance is perfect for casual gatherings and its unique texture makes it an excellent vessel for various toppings and dips.

CONS

The process of making Ciabatta bread is time-consuming and requires patience as you have to mix and let the dough rise at different times throughout the process.
As the bread is low in fat, it can become stale quickly.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

Ciabatta bread is known for its lower fat and sugar content compared to other breads like sourdough or white bread. It is also a great source of carbohydrates and fiber, which help keep you full for longer periods of time. Whole wheat Ciabatta bread can be even more nutritious as it contains more fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

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