Calzone Pizza

Calzone Pizza with Aromatic Tomato Sauce and Delicious Filling

I present you a recipe for calzone pizza, a delicious and versatile Italian dish, perfect for a family dinner or a gathering with friends. This dish is essentially a folded pizza, filled with delicious ingredients that will delight your taste buds. Thanks to the method of preparing the dough in a bread machine, the recipe becomes easy to make, even for those who do not have much experience in the kitchen.

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 30-35 minutes
Total time: 55-60 minutes
Number of servings: 4

Ingredients for the dough:
- 500 g white flour
- 300 ml warm water
- 40 ml olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 packet of dry yeast

Ingredients for the pizza sauce:
- 750 g crushed tomatoes
- 5-6 cloves of garlic, chopped
- 5 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon basil
- 1 teaspoon Italian herbs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper

Ingredients for the filling:
- 100 g cooked ham (optional)
- 200 g mozzarella
- 200 g mushrooms
- 2 or 4 eggs (depending on the desired pizza size)
- 1 onion
- 1 red bell pepper
- 2 cloves of garlic
- thyme, basil, oregano to taste

Preparation:

Step 1: Preparing the dough

1. Start with the bread machine: In a bread machine, add the ingredients in the following order: warm water, olive oil, salt, white flour, and finally, the dry yeast. It is important not to let the yeast come into direct contact with the water to ensure optimal activity.

2. Setting the program: Choose the kneading and rising program. This step is essential to obtain a fluffy and elastic dough.

Step 2: Preparing the pizza sauce

1. Heating the oil: In a pan, add the 5 tablespoons of olive oil and place it over medium heat.

2. Adding the garlic: When the oil is hot, add the chopped garlic and sauté for 1 minute until golden.

3. Seasoning: Add the basil, Italian herbs, and crushed tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer on low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens.

Step 3: Preparing the filling

1. Preparing the ingredients: Grate the mozzarella, slice the mushrooms, cut the ham into thin strips, and dice the bell pepper and onion. Mince the remaining garlic.

2. Cooking the filling: In a pan, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sauté the ham over medium heat for 2 minutes. Then add the onion and garlic and sauté until the onion becomes translucent.

3. Adding the remaining ingredients: Add the spices (oregano, basil, thyme) and a pinch of pepper. Add the mushrooms and bell pepper and continue to cook for 5 minutes. Finally, add the pizza sauce and let everything simmer for another 10 minutes until the mixture thickens.

4. Cooling the filling: Once the sauce is ready, let it cool slightly so it doesn't affect the dough.

Step 4: Assembling the calzone

1. Dividing the dough: After the dough has risen, divide it into 4 equal parts (or 2 if you prefer larger pizzas).

2. Rolling out the dough: Use a rolling pin to roll out a round sheet from each piece of dough, being careful not to make it too thin.

3. Filling the calzone: Place the dough sheet on a pizza tray lined with parchment paper. On one half of the sheet, add 1-2 tablespoons of sauce, followed by mozzarella and, in the center, one egg (or two, depending on the chosen size).

4. Wrapping: Brush the edges of the dough with water using a brush, then fold the other half of the dough over the filling, pressing the edges with a fork to seal them.

5. Preparing for baking: Brush the entire surface of the calzone with water to achieve a golden crust.

Step 5: Baking the calzone

1. Preheating the oven: Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.

2. Baking: Place the calzone in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until golden and crispy.

3. Serving: Once the calzone is ready, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly. You can serve it with grated parmesan on top or alongside a fresh salad.

Serving suggestions and variations:

- You can experiment with the filling by adding olives, spinach, or other favorite vegetables.
- If you want a vegetarian version, omit the ham and add more vegetables.
- The calzone can be served with a yogurt sauce or a rocket salad for a fresh contrast.

Nutritional benefits:

This calzone pizza recipe is rich in protein due to the cheese and eggs, while the mushrooms and vegetables add essential fiber. The olive oil contributes healthy fats and antioxidants.

Frequently asked questions:

1. Can I use whole wheat flour?
Yes, you can use whole wheat flour, but you may need to adjust the amount of water.

2. How can I store the dough?
If you do not use all the dough, you can store it in the refrigerator wrapped in plastic wrap for 2-3 days.

3. Is this recipe suitable for vegans?
You can adapt the recipe using vegan cheese and omitting the eggs.

I encourage you to try this recipe and personalize it to your taste. When you enjoy your calzone pizza, you will feel how each bite brings you a touch of joy and comfort. Enjoy your meal!