Ciabatta

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Appears in Cook's Illustrated March/April 2009, America's Test Kitchen TV

This Italian loaf boasts a crisp, flavorful crust and a chewy, open crumb—in the hands of a master. Where does that leave the rest of us?

SERVES Makes 2 loaves

TIME 1¼ hours, plus 10½ hours resting and 1 hour cooling

has video

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS

For a ciabatta recipe with airy texture, tangy flavor, and perfect lift, we chose all-purpose flour, which gave the bread an open, springy texture. A sponge fermented for 12 hours gave the bread its requisite flavor. A combination of kneadi...

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