How About a Calzone?

We’re on a pizza kick.  Got some pizza dough?  Why not make some calzones? “Calzone” means pocket in Italian and these half moon stuffed pockets are great portable grab and go snacks or lunches.  Serve them up with a salad and a glass of red, take it al fresco and you’ve got a lovely summer evening dinner.

Start by making the pizza dough and gather the stuffing ingredients.  Oli used cheese, peppers, ham and some pizza sauce to finish it off, but you can be as creative as you like.  Got left overs?  Great way to use them up.

We’ve got one more pizza post coming up, then maybe we’ll switch gears and do something from, let’s see. . .  how about Poland?  I’m off to visit friends and celebrate a family wedding in Rzeszow.  Travel, friends, family, and food – can’t get better than that.

 Calzone

This recipe makes one calzone.  Double, triple or quadruple it to make 2, 3 or 4.

5 ounces thin crust pizza dough
1 cup grated cheese of your choice (not less the 25% fat, I used a Gouda 31% fat)
Green and yellow bell peppers, thinly sliced
Smoked ham, thinly sliced
1/2 cup pizza sauce

2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup olive oil
While calzone is in the oven  mix 2 cloves grated garlic into 1/4 cup oil. Reserve.

Preheat the oven to 425 F
1.   Dust dough with flour and place it on a flour-dusted work surface.
2.   Use your fingers to evenly press down the dough. Even out the sides as you go.

3.  Flip the dough over and do the same thing.
4.  Use both hands to evenly stretch the dough to about a 10-inch round.

5.   Place dough round on a floured baking tray.  Sprinkle cheese in the middle of the round, then top with peppers and ham.

6.   Spoon sauce over the filling.  Keep away from the sides of the dough.
7.   Carefully make a turnover by folding one side of the dough over the filling.  Press the edges together and be sure there are no openings.

8.   After you have pressed the sides together, turn the calzone so that the seam is now on top.
9.  Bake in preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until crust is golden.

10.  Give the garlic oil a quick stir, remove calzone from oven and immediately brush with the garlic oil.

Try a nice Sangiovese or a Lodi Zin to accompany your creation.

Enjoy!

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