• "Real" Italian Calzones

  Filed under Main Dishes - Pork
  Jun 26
  
  Let me preface this by saying that I am not Italian, and I do not really know if this is the “real” way that Italians do their calzones. That is just what my recipe said – and I am a trusting person, so naturally, I believed the recipe. It states that a true calzone does not have the marinara sauce in the calzone, but instead it is served alongside the calzone for dipping. If anyone out there reading this blog is a true Italian and knows if this is true, I would really like to know!!

  Authentic or not, this was a great way to serve a calzone. This came as a request from my husband, and he rarely requests things to eat – he usually just goes along with what I make (or pours a bowl of cereal if he doesn’t want what I make!!) The dough was very straightforward and simple to make. I basically followed the fillings, except I did part pepperoni and part sausage. I just used mozzarella and some sharp cheddar that I had in the fridge instead of using all cheddar. The original recipe says that it makes 2 large calzones – feeding 8, but I made 4 smaller calzones, and one calzone a person seemed just about perfect. The one thing I would do differently next time would be to saute the mushrooms first. I filled the calzones full, but once they baked and the mushrooms cooked down, there wasn’t a whole lot of filling in each. If I would have sauteed the mushrooms first, I think they would have stayed full – like a calzone should be!! I had a lot of extra filling, but I just put it in the freezer for next time we want to do calzones or pizza. This would be a good recipe to have fun with – the fillings could be endless!

  Real Italian Calzones
  adapted from allrecipes.com
  
  

  INGREDIENTS

  • 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese
  • 1/4 cup diced pepperoni
  • 1/4 cup sausage
    
  • 1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
  • 3 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, chopped
    
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • Marinara or spaghetti sauce
    

  
  

  DIRECTIONS

  1. 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.
  2. To Make Filling: While dough is rising, combine the ricotta cheese, cheese, pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms and basil leaves in a large bowl. Mix well, cover bowl and refrigerate to chill.
  3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  4. When dough is ready, punch it down and separate it into 4 equal parts. Roll parts out into thin circles on a lightly floured surface. Fill each circle with 1/4 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.
  5. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 30 minutes. Serve hot.

  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  11 Comments

11 Responses to “"Real" Italian Calzones”

1. 

   Katie said on June 26th, 2007 at 2:58 am

   These look very yummy…we make similiar mini-calzones and eat them as appetizers dipped in marinara. I don’t know if we do it the correct way either. I’ll have to check back and see if someone shares their knowledge about these.

   [Reply]

2. 

   Meeta said on June 26th, 2007 at 5:48 am

   I have not had calzones in ages. Looking at yours now I am drooling and it’s breakfast time here!!

   [Reply]

3. 

   Ellie said on June 26th, 2007 at 8:58 am

   I reckon I’m making me some calzones tomorrow night!

   [Reply]

4. 

   Cheryl said on June 26th, 2007 at 4:23 pm

   I’m not Italian either, so these calzones look fine to me. I will be over for lunch.

   [Reply]

5. 

   Janet said on June 26th, 2007 at 6:13 pm

   I’ve been wanting to try calzones at home for ages… when I try it, I am going to try grilling them on the BBQ – wish me luck!!

   [Reply]

6. 

   Ivonne said on June 27th, 2007 at 1:55 am

   Are you sure you’re not Italian? Because this looks like the most “Italian” calzone I’ve ever seen.

   When can I expect a shipment???

   [Reply]

7. 

   Kelly-Jane said on June 27th, 2007 at 7:14 am

   They look gorgeous! Just what I need

   [Reply]

8. 

   Patricia Scarpin said on June 27th, 2007 at 6:07 pm

   The calzones we have here in São Paulo are made with pizza dough – I love them!

   Yours look delicious, Deb!

   [Reply]

9. 

   Brilynn said on June 28th, 2007 at 2:45 pm

   Those look fantastic, I need to make some!

   [Reply]

10. 

    JennDZ - The Leftover Queen said on June 30th, 2007 at 6:33 pm

    Those look great! I love your disclaimer as well!

    [Reply]

11. 

    Glenna said on July 5th, 2007 at 9:08 pm

    Yum! I’ve always wanted to make those. They’re so good. Thanks for the tip about the mushrooms.

    [Reply]

Leave a Reply