Sicilian Calzone Recipes

SICILIAN CALZONE

Steps:

• Position the oven rack in the lower third of oven. Preheat oven to 425°F.
• On a lightly floured work surface, roll the dough into a 10-inch circle. Cover and let rest while making the filling.
• In a medium bowl, combine the spinach tomatoes, ricotta, scallions, basil, oregano, garlic, pepper, and salt.
• Spoon the mixture over half of the dough circle to within 1/2-inch of the edge.
• Fold the dough over the filling to close, crimping the edges to seal.
• With a large spatula, transfer the calzone to a baking sheet or to a baking stone in the oven.
• Sprinkle the top with the mozzarella.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the crust browns.
• Cut in half.
• Heat the tomato sauce and serve with the calzone.

REAL ITALIAN CALZONES

Steps:

• To Make Dough: In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add the oil, sugar and salt; mix in 1 cup of the flour until smooth. Gradually stir in the rest of the flour, until dough is smooth and workable. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes, or until it is elastic. Lay dough in a bowl containing 1 teaspoon olive oil, then flip the dough, cover and let rise for 40 minutes, or until almost doubled.
• To Make Filling: While dough is rising, combine the ricotta cheese, Cheddar cheese, pepperoni, mushrooms and basil leaves in a large bowl. Mix well, cover bowl and refrigerate to chill.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• When dough is ready, punch it down and separate it into 2 equal parts. Roll parts out into thin circles on a lightly floured surface. Fill each circle with 1/2 of the cheese/meat filling and fold over, securing edges by folding in and pressing with a fork. Brush the top of each calzone with egg and place on a lightly greased cookie sheet.
• Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 30 minutes. Serve hot.