Is it just my family or does Friday night feel like pizza night? If you’d like a fun twist to your traditional pizza night, why not try calzones?
Calzones are basically pizza tucked into a cutesy pocket and then it is fried or baked. I know baking is healthier, but my family loves calzones that are fried — so that’s what I make!
Calzones are also a fun way to get your family in the kitchen. Everyone can make their own calzone and personalize it just for them! Also, calzones are great when you need some portable food — like for a church potluck or a family picnic. It’s a nice change from sandwiches and chips. Just make sure you bring a lot of napkins to clean up all the cheesy, saucy gooiness.
Never tried making calzones? I challenge you to try this weekend! Baked or fried, calzones are a hit with all pizza lovers! One of my amazing cooking friends also adds homemade ricotta cheese to her calzones. Sounds extremely delicious!
Go ahead and take an adventure in your kitchen and make pizza in a way you have never made it before. Oh, there is definitely a plus to calzones! No cutting and serving pizza slices to a thousand people! Everyone can just grab one and go! Try it out and let me know if you have become a home-made calzone fan!
Super Cheesy Pepperoni Calzones
Ingredients:
For pizza dough:
1 package active dry yeast
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup warm water
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon oregano seasoningFor sauce:
Jarred pizza sauce or homemade pizza sauce4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pepperoni, dried mushrooms, olives, onions or any other toppings you enjoy. (optional)
Directions:
To make crust, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water and let sit for 10 minutes. Once creamy, stir in flour, salt, oil and garlic powder. Let dough rest for five minutes and then place on a floured surface. Divide dough into 3 inch balls and flatten into a circle that is about six inches in diameter. Add flour if dough is too sticky or water if dough is too dry. Once you have formed your circles, place 1 tablespoon of sauce onto half of the calzone and spread to about 1/2 inch of the edge of the calzone. Add two tablespoons mozzarella cheese, 1 teaspoon of Parmesan and 1 tablespoon pepperoni. Add additional toppings now if desire, but be careful not to overfill the calzone. Next slowly fold the dough over the toppings to create th calzone. Crimp edges with fingers, ensuring calzone is tightly sealed. Next, gently fry in 2 inches of cooking oil for about one minute, and then gently flip and fry the other side of the calzone. Your calzones should be light brown. Drain on paper towels and garnish with parmesan cheese. Repeat for each calzone. Yields: 8 calzones.
