Two Cheese Calzones Recipes

EASY CALZONE RECIPE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 450 degrees.
• Divide pizza dough into two sections and roll into balls.
• Place dough balls on a large baking sheet with a light handful of the cornmeal or flour.
• Roll balls around, coating in the dry mixture, then press them into two flattened circles, making sure dough is the same thickness throughout.
• In a large mixing bowl, add the three kinds of cheese, toppings of your choice and tomato sauce. Gently mix with a wooden spoon.
• Spoon the filling into the two sections of dough, then spread the filling evenly over half of each circle of dough.
• Fold the other half of each flattened piece of dough over the filling, creating a half-moon shape.
• To seal, add a bit of water to the edges of the dough. Press together with your fingers, then, starting at one end, pinch two sides together and gently twist the dough diagonally.
• In a small bowl, combine olive oil and Parmesan cheese mix, then lightly brush olive oil and Parmesan mixture over the tops of the calzones.
• Slice steam vents horizontally into the tops of the calzones with a sharp knife.
• Place the two pastries in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes, then rotate the pan and cook for another 10 minutes. The crust should appear a light golden brown.
• Remove from oven and serve hot.

THREE-CHEESE CALZONES

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for diffused indirect heat by building the hot coals evenly around the perimeter of the grill. Remove the center ring from the grill grate and insert a medium cast-iron skillet. Invert another larger cast-iron skillet over the top. This acts as a pizza oven for your outdoor grill. (If using a gas grill, heat to medium-high heat.)
• For the calzone dough: Add the flour, honey, salt and yeast to a food processor and pulse a few times to combine. Then add 1 3/4 cups room temperature water and the olive oil and pulse again until the dough comes together into a rough ball and rides around the bowl. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead a few times until a smooth elastic ball forms. Divide the dough into 3 equal pieces and place each in a quart-sized deli container or gallon-sized resealable plastic bag with a drizzle of olive oil. Allow to sit at room temperature for 1 hour, then refrigerate overnight and up to 5 days. This makes enough for 3 calzones. Save the extra dough in the freezer for another time. It will last up to 2 months.
• When ready to use, remove the dough from the refrigerator and take it out of its storage vessel while still cold. Allow the dough to rest at room temperature for 1 hour before grilling.
• For the cheese mixture: In the meantime, combine the ricotta, mozzarella, pecorino and herbs in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
• To make the calzones: On a lightly floured surface, roll out 2 balls of dough into 6-inch rounds. Spoon half of the cheese mixture onto each round, spreading it evenly but leaving a 1-inch border, then fold each round over in half. Crimp the edges with a fork or your fingers to seal it and place them onto the inverted cast-iron. Cover the grill and bake for 15 minutes. Use a pastry brush to brush the tops of the calzones with extra-virgin olive oil, cover the grill and bake until golden brown and the dough is cooked through, another 5 minutes.
• Remove from the grill and let sit for a few minutes before digging in!
• (Alternatively, you can place the calzones on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in a 375 degrees F oven until golden brown and the dough is cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let sit for a few minutes before eating.)

TWO-CHEESE CALZONES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F. Lightly spray cookie sheet with cooking spray.
• Unroll dough onto cookie sheet. Starting at center, press out dough to 15x10-inch rectangle. Cut into six (5-inch) squares. Spread 2 teaspoons ricotta cheese onto half of each square to within 1/2 inch of edges; top each with 2 tablespoons diced cheese sticks and 1 tablespoon marinara sauce. Fold dough in half over filling; press edges firmly with fork to seal.
• Bake about 15 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan, heat remaining marinara sauce over medium heat until warm. Serve with calzones.

THREE-CHEESE CALZONES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• Make the filling: Mix the mozzarella, ricotta, basil, scallions, 1/4 cup parmesan and the breadcrumbs in a medium bowl until combined. Divide the pizza dough into 4 equal pieces. Roll out each piece on a lightly floured surface into a 7-to-8-inch round.
• Spoon one-quarter of the filling onto one half of each dough round, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Lightly brush the edges of the dough with some of the beaten egg; fold the dough over the filling and crimp the edges with a fork to seal. Transfer the calzones to the prepared baking sheet.
• Brush the calzones with the remaining beaten egg and cut 2 slits in the top of each to let steam escape. Sprinkle the calzones with the remaining 2 teaspoons parmesan, then bake until golden brown and cooked through, 18 to 20 minutes. Serve with marinara sauce, the salami and giardiniera.

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.

EASY CHEESY CALZONE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°.
• Line a 12 inch pizza pan with foil and spray with nonstick spray coating.
• Press dough onto foil in pan forming a 12-inch circle.
• In a large mixing bowl stir together cheeses then spoon 1/2 of mixture onto dough.
• Fold dough over filling to form a half-circle. Seal edges, then use the edge of a spoon to make decorative edge, if desired.
• Cut slits for escape of steam.
• Repeat for the other package of dough.
• Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or till filling is heated through and cheese is melted.
• Cover with foil after 10 minutes of baking to prevent over-browning.
• Cool on wire rack for 5 minutes before serving. Heat sauce and serve with calzone for dipping.