The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Ciabatta - first time by newbie home-baker

Jane Doe's picture
Jane Doe

Ciabatta - first time by newbie home-baker

 

This was my weekend bake and my first try at making high-hydration ciabatta loaves. The bread tasted amazing.

I am self-taught and followed this recipe from YouTube:

Ciabatta Bread made easy at home - YouTube

 

 

 

Isand66's picture
Isand66

Looks like you nailed it.

Jane Doe's picture
Jane Doe

Thanks for your encouragement. Started baking about 2-3 months ago after checking a couple of bread books in the library that are suggested here and watching a few YouTube videos - Richard Bertinet, in particular. Especially, his video on how to use a mixer to make bread dough. I use a Compact Bosch mixer which I love.

So far, I've only baked a handful of a few different types of simple breads. Being from India, our choice of daily bread it hot rotis, paratha, naan, etc. I'm venturing into new culinary territory, and am excited thus far at how my breads have turned out.

However, my first try at creating my own sourdough starter was a big fail. Named her Sophia Loren as I used home-made flour made from Italian wheat. Ran out of the flour, so I started feeding it with Indian whole wheat roti flour. I don't know what went wrong, so I gave up after 14 days. It's now lying in the fridge in a Weck jar and I'm wondering if I should throw it away.

 

Isand66's picture
Isand66

Not sure what your failed starter looks like.  Did you have any activity at all?  If you want to start a new one do a search for pineapple starter and give it a go.  It’s one of the easiest way to make one.

Jane Doe's picture
Jane Doe

Yes, I had activity initially, and I fed it religiously. 

Thanks for your suggestion. I'm going to start a new one during the holidays and give it a try. Will post my results

I was in Vermont in October and especially visited King Arthur Flour.  That place is quite something - a baker's paradise. Expensive, though. I picked up a few different types of flours, etc. I didn't buy their starter because I wanted to try making my own.

 

Isand66's picture
Isand66

I go there every year to stock up.  We love visiting Vermont.  Keep us updated on your new starter.

Jane Doe's picture
Jane Doe

We made the 8-hrs drive from Ontario this fall. It was a very wonderful trip - saw some amazing fall colours. 

Benito's picture
Benito

Great job with your first Ciabatta, much better than my first one.

Once I’m back in Toronto I’d be happy to share some starter with you if you don’t have luck with the pineapple juice starter.

Benny

Jane Doe's picture
Jane Doe

Thanks Benito for offering to share your sourdough starter. Please send me a private message once you are back. No urgency. 

Benito's picture
Benito

There is a great possibility that I’ll forget Jane.  I return to Toronto Dec 22 so if you’d like some starter message me after Christmas when I will have had a chance to wake it up from its slumber. 

Benny

Jane Doe's picture
Jane Doe

Let me try again with a new starter. I'm determined to make it a success.

trailrunner's picture
trailrunner

You are getting off to a great start. We love curries and Indian breads and used to eat it several times a week. I had a neighbor from Bangalore in the 70's and 80's whose son played with my boys. Her husband would come to get his son at dinner time and he would stand in the doorway and said " this smells like home !". I took that as a great compliment. 

Hoping you give a starter another try. Perhaps get out the one you have and begin feeding  with rye and filtered water and I bet you get bubbles soon. c

Jane Doe's picture
Jane Doe

Hi again. I did not throw my starter away because I'm trying to see where I went wrong. I'm going to try your suggestion of feeding it with rye. 

Btw, I did use filtered water, only 2-3 different types of flours which may have contributed to its demise.

 

 

trailrunner's picture
trailrunner

flour for a successful starter. It is important not to overwhelm your starter when it is new, as you discovered. Feeding too often and discarding also eliminates what is trying to grow so don't over do that either. I bet it will be happy once you rescue it :) c