Ciabatta Bread

To prepare a delicious and aromatic bread, the first step is to take care of the sourdough, which is essential for obtaining a perfectly airy and flavorful dough. In a clean bowl, add the water and milk, gently mixing them. Sprinkle the yeast over the two liquids and let the mixture rest for 5 minutes. This period allows the yeast to activate, which will contribute to the fermentation of the dough. After 5 minutes, add the honey and mix well until it is completely dissolved. The next step is to add the flour intended for the starter. Mix until you achieve a homogeneous composition and cover it with a clean towel for 12 hours. It is ideal to prepare this starter in the evening so that in the morning you can continue with the baking process.

After the resting time has passed, we proceed to prepare the dough. In another bowl, pour water and sprinkle the yeast from the recipe. Let it rest again for 5 minutes to activate the yeast, then mix to dissolve it completely. Add the resulting mixture over the starter that has been left to rise, along with the oil. Use a wooden spoon to mix the ingredients, avoiding contact with metal. Separately, combine the flour with the salt, then add the flour mixture over the sourdough composition. You will obtain a sticky and wet dough, which you will mix with the wooden spoon for 5 minutes. It is important not to try to knead the dough at this stage, as its soft consistency does not allow for it. After mixing, cover the bowl and let the dough rise until it triples in volume and becomes full of air bubbles, a process that can take between 2 and 3 hours, depending on the temperature in the kitchen.

When the dough is ready, do not press it, but prepare a baking tray sprinkled with a generous amount of flour. Use a plastic spatula to divide the dough in two. Take one half of the dough and place it on the floured tray. With well-floured palms, shape it as desired, avoiding excessive kneading of the dough. Carefully check if the dough is not sticking to the tray, then repeat the process with the other half. Sprinkle flour over the created shape as well and let it rise for another 20 minutes. The dough will rise slightly while maintaining its shape.

Finally, preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F) and bake the bread for about 20 minutes. When ready, the bread should be light and sound hollow when tapped with a finger. Let it cool on a rack and enjoy this delicacy! It will surely become everyone’s favorite in the family.