Calzone

Calzone...(Cal-zoe-Knee)...a moon - shaped pastry, that's really an inside out pizza...It's a real WOW dish when it comes out all golden and puffy. Let your lady stand by the window with a glass of Pino Noir in hand while gazing at the moon, and you can whip this up for her in minutes (because you made the filling earlier in the day), and she'll be so impressed she just may forget how many glasses of wine she's had, and have to stay the night. 

8 oz. ricotta cheese

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese                                                           

1/2 tsp. oregano

1/2 tsp. dried basil

1/4 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup finely chopped green pepper

1/2 garlic clove, minced

1/2 tsp. olive oil

1/2 lb. bulk Italian sausage, or any favorite

21/2 loaves (1 lb. ea) frozen bread dough, thawed

                            (or your homemade pizza dough)

8 oz. spaghetti/marinara sauce, heated.

1. Combine cheeses, oregano & basil (set aside).
2. Saute onion, pepper & garlic in oil until tender, then add to cheese mixture.
3. Brown sausage, drain, stir into cheese mixture.
4. Divide ea. loaf of dough into 4 portions; roll ea. into a 6 in. circle.
5. Spoon 2 Tbsp. of filling on half of one circle; fold dough over and seal edges - wetting with water.
6. Repeat with remaining dough and filling.  Brush with Olive Oil..

Place on greased baking sheets.  Bake at 350 for 25 min., or golden.

Serve with sauce on the side, or with garlic and parsley-infused olive oil.

Experiment with your creativity and use any of the following in your very own personalized calzone!

• Ham, salami, or peperoni
• Provolone cheese
• Tomato
• Olives
• Mushrooms
• Green peppers
• Chicken
• Jalapenos
• Feta cheese
• Eggplant
• Artichoke

If you really want to impress her, you can make your own dough, or better yet - let her help you, and if you're lucky you'll be sitting like Patrick and Demi in Ghost while working the dough together...

Easy To Please Dough:

1 c lukewarm water
2 1/4 tsp. active dry yeast                                                          
1 tsp. salt
1/2 t sugar
3 c flour, plus extra for dusting
1 Tbsp. Olive Oil

In a bowl, combine the water, yeast, salt and sugar, and stir to dissolve. Set aside for 15 minutes, then add the flour, and mix until smooth.

Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface, and knead for 10 minutes (this is where Patrick places his hand on Demi's to guide her)...adding more flour if necessary. The dough should feel smooth and elastic. Lightly oil a bowl, and place dough inside. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour. This is when you have another glass of wine.  Quarter the dough, and shape each piece into a ball. Cover, and let rise another 15 minutes. Makes enough dough for 4 calzones.

Pairing:  Chenin Blanc, or Zinfandel

Sides:  Stuffed mushrooms, or Garden salad                                                                          

                                                                               

                                                                                         Mangia!