Mini calzone pizza

Mini Calzone Pizza – A Delicious Treat at Your Fingertips

Mini calzone pizzas are little culinary gems that bring together all your favorite flavors in a perfect portion, ideal for a quick snack or a savory lunch. These delights are excellent as individual servings, but be prepared, as double or even triple portions will surely be requested! Let’s discover together how to prepare these delicious mini calzone pizzas, step by step.

Preparation Time
- Prep time: 30 minutes
- Rising time: 1 hour
- Baking time: 30 minutes
- Total: 2 hours
- Servings: 8 mini calzone pizzas

Ingredients
For the dough:
- 200 ml lukewarm milk
- 25 g fresh yeast
- 100 ml olive oil
- Flour as needed (approximately 500 g, but may vary)

For the filling:
- 150 g diced ham
- 1 medium tomato, diced
- 50 g green or black olives, chopped
- 100 g cheese (mozzarella or cottage cheese)
- Half a zucchini, diced
- Spices: chili, thyme, hot pepper (to taste)

Necessary Utensils
- Large bowl for rising
- Surface for rolling out the dough
- Knife and cutting board
- Baking tray
- Parchment paper
- Pastry brush

A Brief History
Calzone originated in Italy, being a delicious variant of pizza that is folded and filled with various ingredients. Over the years, it has become popular worldwide, with each country adding its local ingredients. Mini calzone pizzas are perfect for serving at parties or picnics due to their small size and ease of consumption.

Preparing the Dough
1. In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in the lukewarm milk. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy. This will ensure the dough rises evenly.
2. Add the olive oil and mix well.
3. Start incorporating the flour gradually, mixing with a spatula or your hands until you achieve a soft and elastic dough. It’s important not to add too much flour at once, as the dough should remain slightly sticky.
4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour, or until it doubles in size.

Preparing the Filling
While the dough is rising, we can prepare the filling:
1. Dice the ham, zucchini, and tomato into small cubes for easier cooking.
2. Chop the olives, and you can either grate or cube the cheese, depending on your preference.
3. In a bowl, mix all the filling ingredients: ham, tomato, olives, cheese, and zucchini. Add the spices to taste (chili, thyme, hot pepper) and mix well.

Forming the Mini Calzone Pizzas
1. Once the dough has risen, sprinkle some flour on your work surface and roll out the dough with a rolling pin to about 0.5 cm thick.
2. Cut the dough into squares or rectangles (approximately 10x10 cm) using a knife or a pastry cutter.
3. Using a pastry brush, brush each piece of dough with a mixture of oil, chili, thyme, and hot pepper.
4. Place a tablespoon of filling on half of each piece of dough. Make sure to leave enough space around the edges to seal them!
5. Fold the dough over to cover the filling and press the edges firmly to seal the calzones. You can use a fork to crimp them for a better seal.
6. Brush each calzone with a beaten egg and sprinkle poppy seeds on top for a crunchy and delicious finish.

Baking
1. Preheat the oven to 200°C.
2. Place the calzones on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, leaving some space between them to allow for expansion.
3. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until they are golden and crispy. You’ll know they’re ready when they emit a delicious aroma!

Serving
Mini calzone pizzas are best served warm, but they are just as delicious at room temperature. You can pair them with a tomato sauce or yogurt dip for an extra burst of flavor. A cold beer or a nice white wine perfectly complements these savory appetizers.

Useful Tips
- Vegetarian option: You can replace the ham with mushrooms or vegetables of your choice for a vegetarian option.
- Freezing: If you want to prepare the calzones in advance, you can freeze them before baking. Then, you can bake them directly from the freezer, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
- Customization: Experiment with different types of cheese or add spices like oregano or basil to give them a personal touch.

Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use dry yeast instead of fresh yeast?
Yes, you can use dry yeast, but you will need to adjust the amount (approximately 10 g of dry yeast for 25 g of fresh yeast).

2. What other fillings do you recommend?
You can try fillings with chicken, spinach, and ricotta, or even chocolate and banana for a sweet version.

3. How long do calzones last?
They are most delicious fresh, but can be stored in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheating will bring them back to life!

I hope this mini calzone pizza recipe inspires you to bring a touch of flavor to your kitchen. Give it a try and discover how simple and enjoyable it can be to make such a treat! Bon appétit!