What is the name of the Italian hard bread?

[chilichip]

that you soak in water and where can you order it on line? I think it starts with a B,not sure,

thanks.

[ironchef]

I think you're probably talking about ciabatta.

[chilichip]

they are bigger then a bagel with a hole in the middle.

[ironchef]

Can you post everything that you know about it then?

[chilichip]

they are hard shape like a bagel and soak in water,some people put oil and vinegar, that's all I know.

[ironchef]

Besides foccaccia and pizza dough (which obviously you're not talking about), the two more common types of Italian bread that you're referring to are either ciabatta or filoncino. Both are hard, crusty breads that are commonly served with olive oil and balsamic. However, neither is shaped like a bagel although both can probably be done so. When you say "soaked" in water, are you referring to before the bread is added to another dish (i.e. gazpacho)? If not, I'm not sure what you're talking about since I don't know of any bread that is soaked in water before being eaten as is. Hopefully one of the forum members in Italy can share some light on this. I'm thinking that you had either a ciabatta or filoncino that was just shaped like a bagel.

[GotGarlic]

Following on what IC said, the only preparation I know of that calls for soaking Italian bread in water is panzanella (bread salad). This can be pretty much any crusty bread.

[chilichip]

Oh here they are !!! they are call Friselle!! I was way off on the name,
I hope you can see them,
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...6/friselle.jpg