Classy Calzones

Classy Calzones 


Ingredients:

1 cup very warm water, plus 1/4-1/2 extra during mixing
2 1/4 tsp. fresh instant yeast (I use SAF instant yeast from King Arthur Flour)
1 tsp. sugar or a splash of white or sparkling wine
1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
3 cups good bread flour  
1 tsp. sea salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 225.  Place pizza stone (if you have one) on the bottom rack of the oven.  Place a large bowl lightly greased with olive oil near the warm oven, but not too close.

my fave pizza flour

my pizza making helper

In the bowl of a standing mixer, add the one cup of water, sprinkle yeast on top, and add a splash of wine or the sugar.  Let stand for 5 minutes until foamy.

yeast spoon...a worthy investment

chemistry!

Add the oil, flour, and salt and slowly combine.  Add more water if it's too dry, then once combined, let sit for another 5 minutes.  This rest period is crucial for really good, chewy crust.  After the rest period, turn mixer back on and knead for 10 minutes or until the dough is very elastic.  Turn out into the prepared bowl.  


Cover with plastic wrap, cover with kitchen towel, and let rise for one hour in its warm location near the oven.  You'll know it's ready when you stick a finger or handle of wooden spoon into dough and the indentation stays.  Once ready, preheat oven to 450, or as high as your stone will allow.  I preheated mine to 445.  Turn dough out onto floured surface and divide into two pieces.  Prepare a foil tray by taking one sheet of non-stick foil lengthwise and a smaller piece under that, width-wise (as in photo below).  Roll one piece of dough into no more than 18x12.  Spread sauce down center, leaving a wide margin on the sides for your crossover pieces (photo to follow).  Add toppings, then cheese.



Make slices into the sides of the calzone (I used a fluted pastry wheel, but a pizza cutter works fine).


Fold pieces over one another, working left to right or right to left.


Bake at 450 for 12-15 minutes or until bubbly and browned.  Repeat with the next portion of dough.




Finished Meatball and Pepper Calzone

Finished Pepperoni and Jalapeno Calzone

Cool on a wooden board (the foil makes a great liner for easy clean up) and wait 5 minutes before cutting.  My hubby cut the calzones initially with a sharp knife to create the cut, but used the pizza cutter to finish each slice.  This prevented all the toppings from oozing out.  Smart man!

Serve with dipping sauce if desired and listen for all the "mmm" sounds that will soon follow! 

Gooey Goodness!!

No comments:

Post a Comment