Question

How does one make Ciabatta Bread at home without using a starter?

Answer 1

Making Ciabatta bread at home without using a starter is possible by using commercial yeast as the leavening agent instead. Here's a simple recipe for making Ciabatta bread without a starter:

Ingredients:

• 500g bread flour
• 10g salt
• 7g instant yeast (or active dry yeast)
• 400ml water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Extra flour for dusting

Instructions:

1. Mixing the Dough:

   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour, salt, and instant yeast. Mix them together evenly.

   • Add the water and olive oil to the dry ingredients. Use a spatula or your hands to mix everything together until a sticky, shaggy dough forms.

2. Kneading the Dough:

   • Transfer the sticky dough onto a well-floured surface. You can also oil your hands to prevent excessive sticking.

   • Knead the dough for about 10-15 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. This process helps to develop the gluten in the dough.

3. First Rise (Fermentation):

   • Place the kneaded dough back into the mixing bowl, cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise at room temperature for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

4. Shaping the Ciabatta:

   • Preheat your oven to 220°C (425°F) and place a baking stone or an upside-down baking sheet on the middle rack.

   • Sprinkle some flour on your work surface and gently transfer the risen dough onto it.

   • With floured hands, shape the dough into a rectangle or oval shape, about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. Try to handle the dough gently to retain air bubbles.

5. Second Rise:

   • Transfer the shaped ciabatta dough onto a parchment-lined baking tray. Dust the top with a little flour and cover it with a damp cloth.

   • Let it rise for another 30-45 minutes.

6. Baking:

   • Before baking, you can make some shallow slashes on the top of the dough with a sharp knife.

   • Slide the parchment paper with the risen ciabatta onto the preheated baking stone or baking sheet in the oven.

   • Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the ciabatta develops a golden-brown crust.

7. Cooling:

   • Once the Ciabatta is done baking, take it out of the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Enjoy your homemade Ciabatta bread! It's perfect for sandwiches, dipping in olive oil, or simply enjoying with your favorite spreads.