---------- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.05

     Title: Ciabatta
Categories: Breads, Hand made, Sourdough b, Internation
     Yield: 1 servings

     1 tb Active dry yeast
     1 c  Sourdough starter
 1 1/4 c  Warm water
   3/4 c  Milk
     1 tb Olive oil
     1 tb Salt
     6 c  Flour; (to 8 c); unbleached

 Recipe by: King Arthur
 Dissolve the yeast in the starter and water. Let sit for 10 minutes to
 give the yeast a
 chance to get going.

 Add the milk, olive oil and salt. Stir in the flour, adding a cup at a
 time until you
 have a dough the consistency of drop-cookie batter. Turn the dough out
 onto a lightly
 floured counter and knead it 10 to 15 minutes, adding more flour as needed
 until you
 have a dough that is smooth and satiny. The dough should be on the slack
 side but not
 oozy; it needs to be able to hold its shape in the oven.

 Place dough in an oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel.
 Place bowl in
 a warm spot and let it rise for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until doubled in
 size.

 Punch down dough to expel air bubbles and turn it onto a lightly floured
 counter. Knead
 dough gently and divide it into three pieces. Form the loaves into torpedo
 shapes and
 place on parchment-lined baking sheets. Slash tops of loaves and cover
 them with a damp
 towel.
 Let loaves rise until they look swollen, about 30 minutes. While loaves
 are rising,
 preheat oven to 425 F.

 Brush or spray loaves with water. Bake for 10 minutes, brushing or
 spraying the loaves
 with water two more times. Turn the oven to 375 F and bake for 25 more
 minutes.

 >From: Phil Marty <[email protected]>

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