Calzone

Great for appetizers, lunches, picnics!!!
Handmade dough that can be baked or fried is listed at the half way point of the recipe. For baking only a store bought dough is an easy way to make Calzone without investing into the dough making, by simply substituting it with Pasta Sfoglia (2 Pastry Sheets) purchased from your local grocery store in the freezer or refrigerator departments.  Please scroll to “Home Made Dough” to follow original recipe.

Calzone
Serves 4-6
Preparation time 8 minutes, Baking time 15 minutes
Preheat oven to 400 F or 180 C.

On a clean baking sheet unroll first pastry sheet (may throw out parchment paper or place it on baking sheet with pastry sheet on top).  Add suggested fillings. Close sides of dough and place in oven for 20 minutes.

HOME MADE DOUGH: Follow this recipe for ultimate Calzone Dough La Focaccia Italiana

Pinch sides of dough to close the calzone. Place in oven to bake for 15 minutes. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

FOR DEEP FRIED PANZEROTTI:  If deep frying, to make the Panzerotti, pour the contents of an entire bottle of Canola Oil into a deep pan and heat up on medium heat for 6 minutes. Carefully add the calzone/panzerotto to the oil, with a metal slotted spoon turn in oil for 3 minutes. When golden remove and place onto a paper towel to remove the oil, then onto a baking sheet and into a warmed oven (350 F) to keep them warm while making the other Panzerotti.

Suggested Fillings for calzone.

Ricotta and Spinach
250 g Ricotta
20 leaves spinach (washed and patted dry)
1 Egg slightly beaten
Combine all ingredients. With a spatula layer pastry sheet with filling. Unroll second pastry sheet and lay on top of ricotta filling.

Leeks and Dried Cranberries
4 Leeks thinly sliced and soaked in water. Carefully remove leek slices by hand from the water so that the dirt will collect in the bottom of the bowl.
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp olive oil
1/3 cup milk
250 g mozzarella diced
4 Tbsp  choose any or all dried cranberries, raisins, dried apricots, or prunes, olives. (slice larger pieces)

After leaks have been washed, place into a large pan on medium heat and allow to with olive oil for 5 minutes then add milk and salt. Cook on stove top for about 20 minutes. Remove pan from heat and pour leeks into a colander to drain fluid. Return leeks to pan and add mozzarella, dried cranberries salt and pepper to taste.

Roll out dough about 1/2 cm thinkness.

Roll out first “Pastry Sheet” and place on to a baking sheet, layer with leek filling, then place second pastry sheet on top. Pinch the sides of the pastry  sheets together to close. Place in oven and bake for 15 minutes. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tuna and Sundried Tomato’s
120 g Tuna from cans
2 eggs
1/4 onion peeled and diced
1/3 cup sundried tomatoes diced
1/4 cup walnuts
100 g mozzarella diced

Place pastry sheet on to a clean baking sheet. Combine all ingredients. Layer filling on to a pastry sheet. Place second pastry sheet on layered filling and pinch pastry sheet edges together to close. Bake for 15 minutes. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Filling For Panzerotti

Combine sliced San Marzano (Whole Peeled) Tomatoes with Mozzarella, Oregano and place into center of dough, (juice from the tomatoes that come out of the side of the closed dough will result in hot oil splatter, be careful not to put an abundance!)  Carefully, close and place into hot oil.

Brown 3/4 cup sausage and 3/4 cup hamburger. Drain fat and cool for 10 minutes. Combine browned meat with 1 minced garlic and mozzarella. Place into center of dough, close well and add to hot oil.