Very easy Ciabatta

This is so easy and super impressive, you must give it a go.  Because saying to people that you make your own bread lifts your status as a cook to a new height.  As an added bonus it tastes delicious, even the next day when toasted on the grill.  Thank you Silvia Colleca !

Ingredients

1 x 7g sachet dried yeast
4 cups of strong flour (bread and pizza flour)
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt


Method

Place yeast and 3 cups flour, 360ml water and 2 teaspoon salt in an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook.

 Beat on medium high speed for 3-4 minutes until the dough comes away form the sides of the bowl (the dough will be quite wet) I did add extra flour at this stage to achieve this consistency.

Tip into a greased bowl and cover with a clean tea towel, leave at room temperature for 2-3 hours until doubled in size.

Preheat oven to 220 degrees Celsius.
NB: Place a metal baking dish on the bottom of the oven with the rack above it.
Flour a baking paper lined baking tray with 1/2 cup flour.
Gently turn the dough straight onto the tray.
Top with remaining 1/2 cup flour.  Shape dough into a long oval.
Carefully pour cold water into the hot pan in the oven to create steam (this very important step helps the bread to rise and expand before forming a crust)
Place the tray with Ciabatta onto the rack above the pan.
Bake for 25-30 minutes until bread is risen, golden and the bottom sounds hollow when tapped.

Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour IF you can resist.

Mamma Mia