Ingredients
– 4 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 ½ cups warm water
– 2 teaspoons salt
– ½ teaspoon instant yeast
Equipment Needed
– Large mixing bowl
– Wooden spoon or dough whisk
– Baking sheet
– Parchment paper
– Kitchen scale (optional, for accuracy)
– Plastic wrap or a wet cloth
Step-by-Step Instructions
To begin, I mix the warm water, yeast, and flour in a large bowl. It all comes together so easily—it’s really just a matter of stirring until you have a shaggy dough. I usually let this sit for about 30 minutes to an hour, giving the flour time to absorb the water. The dough will look a bit messy, but that’s okay; this is part of the charm of ciabatta! Then, I add in the salt and mix it in using my hands, embracing the gentle stickiness of the dough. Remember, this is not your typical bread dough! (See the next page below to continue steps…)