Calzone Pizza

Ingredients

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon instant yeast 1 teaspoon instant yeast
• 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup (180ml) warm water 3/4 cup (180ml) warm water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup (120g) shredded mozzarella cheese 1 cup (120g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup (120g) ricotta cheese 1/2 cup (120g) ricotta cheese
• 1/4 cup (30g) grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 cup (30g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup (60g) tomato sauce 1/4 cup (60g) tomato sauce
• 1/4 cup (30g) sliced pepperoni 1/4 cup (30g) sliced pepperoni
• 1/4 cup (30g) sliced black olives 1/4 cup (30g) sliced black olives
• 1/4 cup (30g) sliced mushrooms 1/4 cup (30g) sliced mushrooms
• 1/4 cup (30g) diced bell peppers 1/4 cup (30g) diced bell peppers
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories: 380 kcal / 1590 KJ
• Fat: 16g (Saturated Fat: 7g)
• Carbohydrates: 42g (Sugar: 2g)
• Protein: 16g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt. Mix well.
2. 2.
   Gradually add the warm water and olive oil to the dry ingredients. Stir until a dough forms.
3. 3.
   Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
4. 4.
   Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
5. 5.
   Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F).
6. 6.
   Punch down the dough and divide it into two equal portions.
7. 7.
   Roll out each portion into a circle, approximately 25cm (10 inches) in diameter.
8. 8.
   Spread half of the tomato sauce on one half of each dough circle, leaving a border around the edges.
9. 9.
   Layer the mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, pepperoni, black olives, mushrooms, and bell peppers on top of the tomato sauce.
10. 10.
    Sprinkle dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper over the filling.
11. 11.
    Fold the other half of the dough over the filling and press the edges together to seal.
12. 12.
    Transfer the calzones to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
13. 13.
    Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the calzones are golden brown and crispy.
14. 14.
    Remove from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Mozzarella cheese — Use low-moisture mozzarella for better melting and less moisture in the filling.
• Ricotta cheese — If you prefer a smoother filling, you can blend the ricotta cheese in a food processor before using it.
• Tomato sauce — Opt for a thick and flavorful tomato sauce to enhance the taste of the filling.
• Pepperoni — Feel free to substitute with other cured meats such as salami or ham.
• Bell peppers — For a milder flavor, you can sauté the bell peppers before adding them to the filling.

Tips & Tricks

• To prevent the calzones from becoming soggy, make sure to drain any excess moisture from the filling ingredients before assembling.
• Experiment with different fillings to create your own unique flavor combinations.
• Brush the calzones with olive oil before baking to achieve a golden-brown crust.
• Serve the calzones with a side of marinara sauce for dipping.
• Leftover calzones can be reheated in the oven for a few minutes to regain their crispiness.

Serving advice

Serve the Calzone Pizza hot, either as a main course or as a delicious appetizer. Cut the calzones into wedges and accompany them with a side of marinara sauce for dipping.

Presentation advice

For an appealing presentation, sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves on top of the calzones before serving. Serve them on a wooden board or a pizza stone to enhance the rustic Italian feel.