Ciabatta Bread

I found a bread recipe that I did like. I made this one yesterday and The Man devoured the first loaf. This one you also leave sitting on your counter for 12 hours or so.

Ciabatta Bread
by Lisa Pizza at RecipeZaar

For Sponge:

• 1/8 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons water (105-115 F)
• 1/3 cup room-temp water
• 1 cup bread flour

For Bread:

• 1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons warm milk (105-115 F)
• 2/3 cup room-temp water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cups bread flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

Directions

1. Make sponge: Stir together, warm water and yeast.
2. Let stand 5 minutes, until creamy.
3. Transfer yeast mixture to another bowl and add room-temp water and flour.
4. Stir for 4 minutes.
5. Cover bowl with plastic wrap.
6. Let stand at cool room temp at least 12 hours and up to 1 day.
7. Make bread: Stir together yeast and milk in small bowl and let stand 5 minutes, until creamy.
8. In bowl of standing electric mixer, with dough hook, blend together milk mixture, sponge, water, oil and flour at low speed until flour is moistened.
9. Beat on medium for 3 minutes.
10. Add salt and beat for 4 more minutes.
11. Scrape dough into oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap, until doubled- about 1 1/2 hours.
12. Note: Dough will be VERY sticky and full of bubbles.
13. Cut two pieces of parchment paper, approx 12 inches by 6 inches.
14. Place on baking sheet and flour well.
15. Turn dough out onto a well-floured surface and cut in half.
16. Transfer each half to paper and form irregular ovals approx 9 inches long.
17. Dip fingers in flour and dimple loaves.
18. Dust tops with flour.
19. Cover with dampened kitchen towel and let rise 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until almost doubled.
20. At least 45 minutes before baking bread, pre-heat pizza stone on lowest oven rack position at 425°F.
21. Transfer 1 loaf, along with parchment paper, onto stone and bake for 20 minutes or until pale golden.
22. Remove to cooling racks and repeat with second loaf.

The bread turned out very soft and tender. I have another batched started and sitting on the counter again so tomorrow I can try to make some rolls out of it. I had a chicken sandwich at Sonic the other day with a ciabatta bun and the bun was actually quite good. Isn't that sad? I'm trying to duplicate something at a fast food place! But whatever.