Ciabatta Bread with a Kick

1 1/2 cups warm water
1 package dry yeast
3 to 4 cups flour, approximately
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons salt
4 ounces good cheese, such as Parmesan, Gruyere, or Manchego, grated or shredded
1 tablespoon crushed dried lavender
1 tablespoon crushed dried oregano
1 tablespoon other dried crushed herbs of choice such as basil, tarragon, thyme
good pinch black pepper
1/2 to 1 cup grated or shredded cheese of choice
2 tablespoons oil, approximately, or as needed
1 large egg
1 tablespoon milk or water
corn meal
tomato sauce, for dipping

In 1/2 cup warm water dissolve the yeast, and let stand for 5 minutes. Add about 2 cups of the flour, oil, the remaining 1 cup warm water, and the salt. Mix together. Add more flour, the lavender, oregano, pepper, and other herbs as desired, and the cheese, mixing well, until the dough holds together in a rough mass. Lightly flour a board or work surface and knead the dough for 10 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic. Put in an oiled bowl to rise, covered with plastic wrap. Drizzle with about 1 to 2 additional tablespoons olive oil and rub over dough. When the dough has doubled in bulk, about 2 hours, punch it down and divide in thirds. Mix in cooked sausage, cooked chicken pieces, chopped pepperoni, tomato sauce, cooked vegetables, if desired. Form into three small loaves, about 6 to 8 inches in length, each. In a small bowl, beat the egg with the milk or water. Brush egg mixture over the loaves (will give the loaves a nice glaze). Let rest for 5 minutes. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Spray 1 baking sheet with nonstick pan spray. Sprinkle corn meal on baking sheet. Bake for about 30 to 45 minutes or until the bread loaves are a nice shiny brown and will sound hollow when tapped lightly with your hands.
Serve sliced, warm, good with soft honey butter or peanut butter.

Thank you very much for the samples. I wish you could have seen my husband rooting in the box looking at it all. After grinding the habaneros and the ghost chilies, he is very serious about cooking. He made soda bread this weekend, so I’m sure we will have a good time grinding the nutmeg and experimenting with the spices. If the cookies turn out, we’ll send you some. Thank you.

Lynn A.

I am looking forward to trying them out and will be posting about them on my blog for sure!

Thank you so much for your generosity!

If there are any spices left for desserts, such as the allspice or the anise, I would love some. And I thank you in advance if there are some.

Your article on reconstituting the dried chilies was very good. I was very happy to read that.

I just like this site period. Glad you are on the web.

Lynn A.

Pick me, Pick Me~! please.