Spinach and Three Cheese Calzone
- 1 package rapid-rising dry yeast
- 3/4 cup warm water
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 3 cups flour
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Egg wash
- Cornmeal, for dusting
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound baby spinach, washed and dried
- Salt and pepper
- 15 ounces ricotta
- 1 cup grated Parmesan
- 1/2 cup shredded fontina
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- For Dough: In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a dough hook, bloom the yeast by combining it with warm water and sugar.
- Stir gently to dissolve, then let stand 5 minutes until foam appears.
- Turn mixer on low and slowly add the flour, 1 cup at a time.
- Pour in 1/4 cup olive oil and add salt.
- When the dough starts to come together, increase the speed to medium.
- Stop the machine periodically to scrape the dough off the hook.
- Mix until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl, about 10 minutes.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and fold over itself a few times.
- Form dough into a round and place in an oiled bowl, turn to coat the entire ball with oil so it doesn't form a skin.
- Cover with plastic wrap or damp towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.
- Test the dough by pressing 2 fingers into it.
- If indents remain, the dough is adequately risen.
- When ready, knead the dough gently and divide in 4 balls.
- Sprinkle the rounds lightly with flour, cover, and let rest for 15 minutes.
- This will relax the dough, making it easier to stretch.
- In the meantime prepare filling.
- For Calzones: Place a pizza stone in the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. If you don't have a stone, simply grease a baking pan.
- Roll or spread the dough discs into 10-inch circles, leave the dough slightly thick so that the filling will not ooze out.
- Spoon a quarter of the filling onto 1 side of the dough round and brush the outer edge with egg wash to help form a seal.
- Fold dough over to enclose the filling and form a large turnover.
- Roll up the edges with your fingers to close tightly and prevent leaking.
- Cut a few slashes in the top to allow steam to escape during baking and brush with egg wash. Repeat with remaining rounds.
- Sprinkle a pizza peel (or prepared baking pan) with cornmeal and carefully transfer the calzones.
- Bake directly on pizza stone for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown.
- Let the calzones rest 10 minutes before cutting to allow the cheese to set.
- Serve with basic tomato sauce if desired.
- For Filling: In a saute pan, heat oil over medium heat.
- Add garlic and cook 2 minutes until lightly browned.
- Add the spinach, season, and continue to cook until wilted, about 5 minutes.
- Transfer to a colander and squeeze out the excess liquid.
- If necessary, drain the ricotta in a sieve to remove excess moisture also.
- Calzone filling should be fairly dry, because it may leak out or make the dough mushy.
- Combine spinach, cheeses, egg, and pepper in a large bowl.
yeast, water, sugar, flour, olive oil, salt, egg wash, cornmeal, olive oil, garlic, baby spinach, salt, ricotta, parmesan, shredded fontina, egg, red pepper
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/spinach-and-three-cheese-calzone-recipe.html (may not work)