Homemade Calzone
Yield: 6 calzones (I often double this recipe to make 12-double the prep and cook time)
Dough Ingredients:
1 package (1TB) yeast
1 cup warm water
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. sugar
1 TB vegetable oil
2 ¼ to 2 ½ cups flour
Filling:
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8oz)
¼ lb. salami or pepperoni, cut in strips
½ cup ricotta cheese (don't use the store brand)
¼ cup chopped fresh basil leaves
2 chopped, fresh tomatoes
Freshly ground pepper
Additional spices if desired: Sage, Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme, Garlic
Topping:
1 large egg, slightly beaten
1 jar high quality spaghetti sauce or make your own
1. Dissolve yeast in warm water in large bowl. Stir in salt, sugar, oil, and 1 cup of the flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough of the remaining flour to make the dough easy to handle.
2. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead about 5 minutes. Place in greased bowl; turn greased side up. Cover and let rise in warm place 30 to 40 minutes or until almost double. While the dough is rising, prep the filling ingredients.
3. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Grease two cookie sheets.
4. Punch down dough; divide into six equal parts. Roll out each part into 7-inch diameter circles on lightly floured surface.
5. Top half of each dough circle with ricotta, mozzarella, salami, basil, and tomatoes. Leave a half inch border. Sprinkle with pepper and other spices. Carefully fold dough over filling; pinch edges or press with fork to seal securely.
6. Place calzones on cookie sheets. Brush with egg. Bake about 25 minutes or until golden brown. Top with warm spaghetti sauce.
Notes: Calzones are fun to make with kids and they are always a hit. My mom taught me how to make calzone with salami, garden fresh tomatoes, and basil but you can add any pizza toppings you want such as pineapple, olives, artichoke hearts, sliced mushrooms, onions, or bell peppers. This recipe has become a Christmas tradition in my family.
Source: Mom
