Ciabatta Bread

Instructions

1. 1

   Place the warm water, yeast and olive oil in a bowl.

2. 2

   Give it a quick stir.

3. 3

   In another bowl, combine all the flour with the salt.

4. 4

   Now add all the flour and salt mixture to the bowl with the water, yeast and olive oil.

5. 5

   Mix with a spatula until no dry flour remains in the bowl.

6. 6

   The dough will be a little sticky, but that's how it should be.

7. 7

   Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, then cover with a kitchen towel.

8. 8

   Let rise for 30 minutes.

9. 9

   After 30 minutes, it's time to stretch and fold the dough.

10. 10

    Wet your fingertips, reach underneath the dough, stretch it up and fold it over itself.

11. 11

    Repeat on all four sides of the dough.

12. 12

    You should make four folds in total.

13. 13

    Let rest for another 30 minutes.

14. 14

    After half an hour, repeat the folds and let rest for another 30 minutes (the third rest).

15. 15

    After the third half-hour rest, repeat the folds.

16. 16

    Let rest for another 30 minutes (the fourth rest).

17. 17

    After the fourth rest, dust a work surface with flour and turn the dough out onto it.

18. 18

    Dust the top of the dough with a little flour and gently spread it out with your hands into a rectangle measuring approximately 33 × 22.

19. 19

    Divide the dough into eight rolls.

20. 20

    Place the rolls on a greased baking tray, cover with a kitchen towel and let rest for another 30 minutes.

21. 21

    After the fifth rest, place the tray in an oven preheated to its highest temperature and bake for 10 minutes.

22. 22

    After 10 minutes, reduce the temperature to 190°C and bake for another 10 minutes, until golden brown.