Creating ciabatta bread is a process of love and attention, much like any great relationship. Let’s walk through it step by step:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water and yeast. Let it sit until the yeast is foamy, about 5 minutes. This step always reminds me of my early baking days, watching the yeast bubble with excitement.
2. Add the flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until a sticky dough forms.
3. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise at room temperature until it has doubled in size, about 1-2 hours. This waiting period is the perfect time for a little kitchen dance party, a tradition Marco and I have kept alive.
4. Generously flour a work surface and your hands. Turn the dough out onto the surface and fold it over onto itself a few times to form a rough rectangle. This step is where your patience turns into art.
5. Divide the dough into two equal parts and shape each into a loaf. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving enough space between them to expand.
6. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let them rise again for about 30 minutes.
7. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Bake the loaves for 20-25 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and sound hollow when tapped. My abuela always said this was the bread’s way of saying, “I’m ready!”
8. Let the loaves cool on a wire rack before slicing. This is the hardest part, but trust me, it’s worth the wait!