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Authentic Ciabatta Bread

Reggie Dwork <reggie@jeff-and-reggie.com>
Thu, 12 Sep 2019 20:31:40 -0700
v119.n037.3
* Exported from MasterCook *

                         Bread, Authentic Ciabatta

Recipe By     :Baker Bettie
Serving Size  : 12    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Bread                           Bread-Bakers Mailing List
                 Low Fat                         Posted

   Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
                         For the Biga (preferment):
   165            grams  bread flour -- (1C + 6 Tbsp)
   133            grams  water -- room temperature (1/2C + 1 Tbsp)
   1              Pinch  Platinum Superior Baking Yeast -- or instant yeast
   1              Pinch  salt
                         For the Final Dough:
                         The biga
   180            grams  water -- room temperature, (3/4C + 1 Tbsp)
   250            grams  bread flour -- (2C + 1 1/2 Tbsp)
   3              grams  Platinum Superior Baking Yeast -- or instant 
yeast, (1 tsp)
   5              grams  kosher salt -- (1 tsp)
                         Cornmeal -- for dusting, or semolina

Make authentic ciabatta bread at home with this recipe! Ciabatta 
bread is a classic Italian style bread that translates to mean 
"slipper bread" due to the shape of the loaves. Ciabatta is a chewy 
and uniquely moist bread made with a preferment called a biga, which 
greatly enhances the flavor of the bread.

Red Star Platinum Superior Baking Yeast contains dough enhancer.

Yield: Two 8" loaves

At least 12 and up to 24 hours before making your ciabatta, make the 
biga. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ingredients for the biga 
and stir together. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it stand 
at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours.

Add the rest of the ingredients for the ciabatta dough into the bowl 
with the biga. Stir until well combined. It will appear as if there 
is not enough liquid at first, but as you work it together it will 
become a very wet and sticky dough. You may need to use your hands to 
knead it slightly to hydrate all the flour. As soon as all of the 
flour is hydrated with no dry spots, cover the bowl with a piece of 
plastic wrap and let it set at room temperature for 45 minutes.

After the dough has rested for 45 minutes, you will do a series of 
three stretch and folds with the dough. With the dough still in the 
bowl, lightly dampen your hand (this will prevent the dough from 
sticking) and pull on one side of the dough and stretch it up and 
then fold it down over the top of the dough. Rotate the bowl 90 
degrees and do the same with the next side. Do this again until you 
have stretched all four sides of the dough up and over on itself. 
Cover the bowl and let it rest for 45 more minutes. Stretch and fold 
the dough for the second round. Cover and let rest for 45 more 
minutes. Stretch and fold for the third round. Cover the dough and 
let it rest for 45 more minutes. This is a three hour process from 
when the dough is mixed to when it is ready to be shaped. Four 45 
minute resting periods with three stretch and folds in between.

During the final resting period, prep your pans and your oven. 
Position one oven rack in the very bottom position in the oven and 
another rack in the middle position. Place a cast iron skillet or 
another heat proof skillet on the bottom rack and a baking stone, 
baking steal, or a sheet pan turned upside down on the middle rack. 
Preheat your oven to 450F (230C). You want your oven and pans to be 
heating for at least an hour before the bread goes into the oven. 
Additionally, prepare a pizza peel or an unrimmed baking sheet with a 
piece of parchment paper sprinkled lightly with semolina or cornmeal.

Pour the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. It will be 
very wet and sticky. Use a damp bench scraper to scrape the dough out 
of the bowl. Divide the dough into two equal pieces. Dampen your 
hands and then pick up one piece of the dough and place it on the 
prepared parchment paper. Stretch and pat out the dough to a flat 
rectangle shape. It will be very sticky but wet hands work best to 
shape it. It can be a rustic shape. Repeat this step with the second 
piece of dough. (Alternatively you can shape all of the dough into 
one big loaf.)

Lightly flour the top of the loaves and then cover with a floured 
towel. Let the dough rise for 1 hour.

Fill a small bowl with about 2 cups of ice cubes. You want to work 
quickly and carefully when transferring the ciabatta. Open the oven 
and carefully & gently slide the whole piece of parchment paper with 
the ciabatta onto the preheated baking stone or sheet pan. Quickly 
pour the ice cubes into the preheated skillet and immediately shut 
the oven door (this will create steam). Bake for about 30 to 35 
minutes or until the ciabatta loaves are a light golden brown and 
sound hollow when tapped.

Allow the ciabatta to cool on wire rack before slicing. This will 
completely develop their flavor. Ciabatta is best when eaten the same 
day. However, leftover ciabatta can be wrapped in foil once 
completely cooled and kept at room temperature for up to 2 days.

S(Internet address):
   https://redstaryeast.com/recipes/authentic-ciabatta-bread/
                                     - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 125 Calories; 1g Fat (4.2% 
calories from fat); 4g Protein; 25g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary 
Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 169mg Sodium.  Exchanges: 1 1/2 Grain(Starch).

NOTES : 2019 - 0912