Ciabatta Bread

From: Chef #1518602

On Jan 11, 2010

It was impossible to handle the dough without adding flour! I am waiting for it to raise now but discouraged. What does "dimple the dough" mean?

From: SReiff

On Jan 9, 2010

easy and delicious. made just as posted except that i separated the dough into 6 steak roll size portions and used them - fresh and hot from the oven - for philly cheesesteak sandwiches. because the dough was split into 6 smaller portions, i only had to let it rise 20 mins the second time. they turned out perfect!! my hubby said twice that he thought the bread was awesome! a keeper recipe, for sure. thanks for posting.

From: Eadaein

On Dec 17, 2005

I wanted to clear some things up on this bread for those who have never made it before. The batter will be VERY wet, it is tricky to handle, for it to bake the way Ciabatta should do not treat it like other breads, you need the wet dough, do not add flour to it, also avoid overhandling the dough, after its rise you need to handle it with a very light touch (like a baby as they say in Italy) so that those precious air bubbles we worked so hard to get dont break. Ok, so you handle it carefully, with well floured hands you pull and stretch the dough into a rough rectangular shape, dust the loaf and your hands with flour again, then neaten and plumpen the dough with your fingers tucking the sides under to create a fairly tidy appearance. I will post a pic (making this again tomorrow) of the dough in its uncookes phase so everyone can see how it looks. If you have never made this before it can be unnerving LOL. So, wrinkled, messy, lumpy flat looking dough that is sticky and unmanageable is normal, dont worry! ;p

From: Marie

On Dec 7, 2004

Just took this bread out of the oven and snitched a piece. WOW! It is so crusty on the outside and soft on the inside. I could have used a little better directions on how to shape the bread. I covered the dough with plastic wrap for the rising and when I tried to remove it, the plastic stuck to the bread. I will spray the plastic with non stick spray next time. I am still giving it 5 stars because it is so delicious! Will definitely make again. Thanks so much for posting this super recipe, Tish.