homemade ciabatta bread

How To Make homemade ciabatta bread

• Step 1
  Make the biga. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and yeast. Add the water and mix until combined. Cover and let sit at room temperature for 24 hours.
• Step 2
  The Bread: In a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, whisk together the yeast, sugar, and water. Cover and let sit for 10 minutes.
• Step 3
  Add the flour, salt, and biga. Gently mix the ingredients together on medium speed. The dough will be wet and sticky. Cover the bowl and let it sit for 30 minutes.
• Step 4
  Oil your hands and do a stretch and fold by pulling the dough at the 12 o'clock position straight up, and fold it to the 6 o'clock position.
• Step 5
  Turn the bowl 90 degrees and repeat for a total of 8 folds. Cover and let rest 30 minutes.
• Step 6
  Repeat 4 more times every 30 minutes. Place in the fridge overnight.
• Step 7
  Remove from the fridge and flour your board. Oil your hands and place the dough on your floured surface, and shape it into two rectangular loaves.
• Step 8
  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and with a floured bench scraper, transfer the dough to the baking sheet. Cover and let rest at room temp for 1 hour.
• Step 9
  Preheat the oven to 450 degrees and place a flat cookie sheet on the center rack. Place a rimmed sheet full of ice cubes on the bottom rack.
• Step 10
  When the oven is hot, transfer the bread to the parchment sheets to the baking sheet in the oven. Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes.
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