There’s something deeply satisfying about making your own bread.
Almost as satisfying as growing your own food, I’d imagine.
I alternate between baking at home and buying bread – just because there are a few great bakeries around, and I don’t want to miss out.
I’ve had my bread machine for a while now, it’s served me well; and while I use it quite frequently, I’m tired of the boring “bread-machine loaf” it produces.
Lately I let the machine do the mixing and kneading using the ‘dough cycle’ and I create my own loaves.
And with that I seemed to have renewed my passion for baking bread.
I have a few recipes to try in the next coming weeks.
I found a recipe for ciabatta bread that seemed perfect for my black beans and greens sandwich.
The sandwich recipe, I hope to share one day when it’s perfected.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 1/4 cups bread flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons bread machine yeast

DIRECTIONS

1. Place ingredients into the pan of the bread machine in the order suggested by the manufacturer. Select the Dough cycle, and Start. (Or make by hand)
2. Dough will be quite sticky and wet once cycle is completed, resist the temptation to add more flour. Place dough on a lightly floured board, cover with a large bowl, and let rest for 15 minutes.
3. Lightly flour or use parchment lined baking sheets. Divide into 2 pieces, and form each into a 3×14 inch oval. Place loaves on prepared sheets, dimple surface, and lightly flour. Cover, and let rise in a draft free place for approximately 45 minutes.
4. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
5. Dimple dough for a second time, and then place loaves in the oven, positioned on the middle rack. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. During baking, spritz loaves with water every 5 to 10 minutes for a crispier crust.

Recipe from Allrecipes