A Calzone Recipe to Die For: A Step-by-Step Guide to Calzone Perfection
Are you craving a delicious, savory, and satisfying meal? Look no further than the calzone! This Italian-American cousin of the pizza is a delightful hand-held pie filled with an array of delicious ingredients. This recipe will guide you through creating the perfect calzone, from the dough to the final bake. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this culinary masterpiece!
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe provides enough for two large calzones.
For the Dough:
- 1 cup warm water (105-115°F)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Filling:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Your favorite fillings! (suggestions below)
Choosing Your Calzone Filling Adventure:
The beauty of a calzone is its versatility! Here are some popular filling combinations to inspire your culinary creativity:
- Classic: Ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Simple, yet incredibly satisfying.
- Meaty Marvel: Pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, and mozzarella.
- Veggie Delight: Spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, and ricotta.
- Spicy Fiesta: Spicy Italian sausage, jalapeños, onions, and mozzarella.
Step-by-Step Calzone Creation:
1. Making the Dough:
- In a large bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- Add flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Add more flour if needed to prevent sticking.
- Add olive oil to the dough and knead for another minute.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
2. Preparing the Filling:
- In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, egg, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Add your chosen fillings to the cheese mixture and stir gently to combine.
3. Assembling the Calzones:
- Punch down the risen dough and divide it in half.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out each dough half into a 10-inch circle.
- Spoon half of the filling onto one half of each circle, leaving a 1-inch border.
- Fold the other half of the circle over the filling, pressing the edges firmly to seal. Crimp the edges with a fork to create a decorative seal.
- Cut a few small slits in the top of each calzone to allow steam to escape.
4. Baking to Perfection:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place the calzones on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Tips for Calzone Success:
- Don't overfill: Too much filling can make the calzone difficult to seal and may cause it to burst during baking.
- Use high-quality ingredients: The flavor of your calzone will be greatly enhanced by using fresh, high-quality ingredients.
- Get creative with your fillings: Don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations of ingredients to find your perfect calzone filling.
- Serve immediately: Calzones are best served fresh out of the oven.
Enjoy your homemade calzone! This recipe is a fantastic starting point – feel free to experiment and make it your own. Let us know your favorite calzone filling combinations in the comments below!
