Ciabatta Bread

3.c bread flour
1.c. warm water
1.5t. kosher salt
.25t. Dry active Yeast

In a mixing bowl, add salt, flout, and yeast, then create a little will for the water in the middle and then add the water

Mix with a fork to form a rough dough, then with moistened hands knead the dough for 2 or 3 minutes.  (the dough will be quite wet, by keeping hands moist the dough will stick less to them)

Remove the dough from the mixing bowl, then add 2T. olive oil to bowl and use your hand to coat the sides of the bowl.

Return the dough to the mixing bowl, coat all sides of the dough with oil. Cover with plastic film.

Now you have two options:

1) Place in a warm area (80 - 90 degrees) for 6 - 8 hours, until doubled in size


2)Place in a cool area (60 - 70 degrees) and allow to proof for 12 - 16 hours or until doubled

After it has been proofed by the above methods, pour the dough out onto your counter and do this gently by loosing the sides with a moist hand.

Now fold the dough in half, then in half again in the other direction.

Cover with oiled plastic wrap, and let rise 30 minutes, uncover and fold the dough in half again.

Generously dust the dough with flour, cover with the plastic wrap and let it rise for another30 minutes

Preheat your oven to 450.  Have your baking sheet in the oven as well as a small pan on the bottom (you will place 6 -10 ice cubes in this to create steam at the begining of baking)

Uncover the dough and split down the middle the long way.  Brush off excess flour with a brush.  Take out your hot sheet tray for baking, dust with corn meal.

Scoop up your dough with two hands, gently stretch it to about 12 inches and set it on you baking sheet, do this again with the other loaf.  Gently reshape the loaf.

Place in hot oven, add your ice cubes to the tray to create steam and allow to bake for 20 minutes. (r

Check on bread at 20 minutes, and remove the steam pan, rotate if needed and bake up to 4 more minutes.

Done bread should feel light and almost hollow.

Allow to cool on wire racks, then either seal in a plastic bag or freeze for later use.