Hi

I would like to try to make a calzone today. Does anyone have any good recipes? I like the usual stuff...lots of cheese, ham etc etc. I have made Italian style pizza before but I have not made a calzone so I need a step by step guide :-)

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

You can basically put anything in it that you would like. Just make a pizza base, add your ingredients and then fold the pizza in half. I like marinated artichokes, prosciutto cotto (ham), mozzarella and a little ricotta. If you use ricotta, make sure you let it sit in a strainer to get out the excess water.

If you don't mind using eggs, if you add an egg to your dough (before adding water; you'll need a bit less) it will make your dough more elastic and easier to use for empanadas, calzones etc. I like them better if the dough isn't too thick.

I remember making dozens of tiny empanadas (meat and vegetarian) for a New Year's Eve party. Took hours to roll out, fill and bake. Were very popular but disappeared within half an hour.

I copy my fave pizzeria. Theirs is filled with the following items diced small:
onion, garlic, ham (prosciutto cotto) artichoke hearts, mozzarella, tomato and some dried oregano and salt. It is cooked at maximum temperature in a preheated oven and when done it is slit open and good chili oil is drizzled inside. It looks like a mountain on the outside, but seems basically a pizza capricciosa folded up.

Hi Gard, a fast and easy way is to buy frozen french bread dough. Let it thaw and cut into about 4oz pcs and roll flat. THe mixture that I love is. Ricotta, eggs, fresh parsley,garlic, frozen and drained spinach. This mixture is made like you are making a filling for stuffed manicotti. spoon a good helping on one half of the dough and top with a good hand full of Mozerella cheese. Pull the other side over the top and crimp with a fork or pinch the top and bottom together. Brush the top with egg wash and bake in 400 degree oven till the outside is brown....Good luck........Bill