Proscuitto And Ricotta Calzone Recipes

PROSCIUTTO AND EGGPLANT CALZONE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F. Put a pizza stone on the bottom shelf of the oven to preheat.
• Remove the dough from the packaging and let rest on a lightly floured surface.
• In a large nonstick saute pan over medium heat, add the prosciutto and cook until crisp. Remove from pan to a plate and set aside.
• Season the eggplant with salt and pepper. Add the olive oil to the pan over medium heat and saute the eggplant for 5 to 6 minutes. Add in the garlic and the red pepper flakes. Saute 2 to 3 minutes more, being careful not to burn the garlic. Add in the tomatoes and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Let sauce reduce until all the extra liquid is gone, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool.
• In a small bowl, combine the ricotta, 1 egg, the Parmesan, pine nuts, 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of pepper, the parsley and the basil. Gently combine the ricotta mixture with the eggplant.
• In a small bowl add the remaining egg and 1 teaspoon water and beat well.
• Knead the dough a few times on a floured surface and add in the dried oregano and rosemary. Cut the dough in half and roll 1 piece into an oval about 12 to 14 inches long and 8 inches wide. Put the dough on a peel sprinkled with cornmeal and add half of the ricotta/eggplant mixture half way down the oval, leaving 2 inches on each side. Top with 3 slices of the mozzarella and sprinkle with half of the prosciutto.
• Fold the dough over and roll the edge closed. Brush with the egg wash, sprinkle with a pinch of kosher salt and slide off the peel onto the hot pizza stone.
• Repeat with the other half of the dough and ingredients. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes, serve hot!

CHEF JOHN'S HAM AND CHEESE CALZONES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Divide dough into 4 equal portions; shape each into a ball. On a lightly floured surface, flatten each dough ball into a flat circle and roll out into an 8- or 9-inch circle.
• Place 2 prosciutto slices on one half of each circle of dough, leaving a 1-inch empty border. Spoon ricotta cheese on prosciutto. Season with a pinch of salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Top with chopped ham, mozzarella slices, and a drizzle of olive oil.
• Moisten edge of dough with a bit of water using your fingertip. Fold the empty half of the dough over the filling and lightly seal edges. Crimp the edges up to completely seal the calzone.
• Sprinkle lined baking sheet with cornmeal. Transfer calzones to baking sheet. Cut several small slits in the top of the crust with the tip of a knife to allow for venting.
• Beat egg with water to make egg wash. Brush the calzones with egg wash. Dust with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Remove excess cornmeal and grated cheese from around calzones to avoid smoke from the hot oven.
• Bake in preheated oven until browned, about 15 minutes. Let cool 15 minutes before serving. Serve with heated marinara sauce for dipping.

SAUSAGE AND RICOTTA CALZONES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450°F. Divide pizza dough into 8 pieces. Roll out each into 8-inch round disk.
• To make filling, in 10-inch skillet, heat oil over medium to medium-high heat. Add onion and mushrooms; cook 5 to 7 minutes or until vegetables begin to soften. Add spinach; continue to cook about 2 minutes or until spinach wilts. Remove from heat; set aside.
• In large bowl, mix cooked sausage, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, salt, nutmeg, pepper and onion-spinach mixture.
• To make each calzone, place filling in center of dough round. (Resist the temptation to overfill the dough.) Fold dough over; press edge and twist to seal. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
• Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cut calzones in half to serve.