Delicious Homemade Calzones: A Step-by-Step Guide
Calzones, the Italian answer to handheld, portable, and utterly satisfying comfort food, have been tantalizing taste buds for generations. These stuffed, oven-baked pockets of joy are the perfect canvas for your favorite ingredients, allowing you to customize them to your heart’s desire. Whether you’re a cheese enthusiast, a lover of meats, or a veggie connoisseur, making calzones at home is a delightful culinary adventure that’s sure to please even the pickiest eaters. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the process of crafting your own delectable calzones from scratch.
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) of active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
For the Filling:
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup of your favorite pizza sauce
- Toppings of your choice (e.g., pepperoni, sliced bell peppers, mushrooms, olives, etc.)
- Dried oregano and red pepper flakes (optional, for added flavor)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dough:
- In a small bowl, combine the warm water and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it’s frothy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and sugar.
- Add the yeast mixture and olive oil to the dry ingredients. Mix until the dough comes together.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5-7 minutes, or until it’s smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until it doubles in size.
2. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) and place a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to heat up.
3. Forming the Calzones:
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into four equal portions.
- Roll each portion into a ball and then roll it out into a 8-10 inch circle on a lightly floured surface.
- Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of pizza sauce onto one half of each dough circle, leaving a border around the edge.
4. Add the Filling:
- Sprinkle a generous amount of mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
- Place dollops of ricotta cheese on top.
- Add grated Parmesan cheese and your desired toppings.
5. Fold and Seal:
- Fold the other half of the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape.
- Press the edges to seal the calzone. You can use a fork or your fingers to crimp the edges.
6. Bake:
- Carefully transfer the calzones onto the preheated baking stone or sheet.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until they are golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
7. Serve:
- Remove the calzones from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes.
- Slice each calzone in half, sprinkle with oregano and red pepper flakes if desired, and serve hot.
Making calzones at home is a fun and rewarding cooking experience. With the flexibility to choose your favorite ingredients, you can cater to different tastes within your household. Whether you serve them as a quick dinner, a satisfying lunch, or as party snacks, homemade calzones are sure to be a hit. So, roll up your sleeves, get creative, and enjoy the culinary journey of crafting your very own delicious calzones!
Calzones
Ingredients
- For the Dough:
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) of active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- For the Filling:
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup of your favorite pizza sauce
- Toppings of your choice (e.g., pepperoni, sliced bell peppers, mushrooms, olives, etc.)
- Dried oregano and red pepper flakes (optional, for added flavor)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a small bowl, combine the warm water and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it's frothy. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and sugar. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil to the dry ingredients. Mix until the dough comes together. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5-7 minutes, or until it's smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until it doubles in size.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) and place a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to heat up.
- Forming the Calzones: Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into four equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball and then roll it out into a 8-10 inch circle on a lightly floured surface. Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of pizza sauce onto one half of each dough circle, leaving a border around the edge.
- Add the Filling: Sprinkle a generous amount of mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Place dollops of ricotta cheese on top. Add grated Parmesan cheese and your desired toppings.
- Fold and Seal: Fold the other half of the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press the edges to seal the calzone. You can use a fork or your fingers to crimp the edges.
- Bake: Carefully transfer the calzones onto the preheated baking stone or sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until they are golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
- Serve: Remove the calzones from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. Slice each calzone in half, sprinkle with oregano and red pepper flakes if desired, and serve hot.
