Ciabatta Bread

You know those fall days that are cool enough to put you out of your comfort zone but not cold enough to force you to turn on the heat yet? We're smack dab in the middle of it and I have about 4 quilts on my bed. You know what else I do on days like these? Bake bread. Not only does your house smell delicious...but it gets nice and warm from the oven running too!

Ciabatta Bread
2 packages regular active dry yeast (4 1/2 teaspoons)
1 1/2 cup very warm water (115 to 120 degrees)
3 to 3 1/4 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh Rosemary, chopped (if desired)

In a warmed mixer bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand 5 minutes until yeast forms a foam on top of the water. Add 3 cups flour, salt and sugar. Mix on low speed (speed 2 on your KitchenAid) until flour and water are just combined. Stir in oil and mix on low again for about 3-4 minutes until dough cleans away from side of bowl. If needed, add an additional 1/4 cup of flour. Dough should be slightly stick still but able to handle.
Form dough into a ball and place in greased bowl, turning dough so the topside is greased. Cover and let rise about 45 minutes until doubled in size. I usually heat my oven on 400 degrees for 2 minutes, then place dough inside oven and turn oven off.
Punch down dough and place on a floured surface. Divide dough in half and shape each have into a ball and let raise again until double.
Grease two cookie sheets with Pam. Stretch each ball of dough on individual cookie sheets into an 18 x 6 rectange by pulling edges away from each other. Dough should be roughly 1/2" thick. Using your fingers, make indents all over dough. Cover dough and again let rise about 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly brush dough with and egg wash (1 egg and 1 tablespoon of water wisked together.) Sprinkle chopped Rosemary over top (or desired herb). Bake 25 to 35 minutes or until loaves are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped.

I always like bread when its fresh out of the oven with butter!

Enjoy!