If you are looking for an Italian taste that you can prepare from the comfort of your own kitchen. I would suggest you to try calzone dough.
The calzone dough recipe being delightful with the combination of vegetables, meat, and cheese maintains the perfect balance between crispy exterior and internal softness.
What is a Calzone?
A calzone is basically a pocket-sized pizza, which is prepared with pizza dough folded over a tasty filling which is baked until turns golden brown.
In Italian, the word ‘calzone’ resembles to ‘pant leg’ which makes sense giving its folded appearance. Calzone gives an easy and portable way to enjoy the flavors of pizza without the involvement of utensils.
What is the Difference Between Calzones and Stromboli?
Here are some key differences between calzones and Stromboli:-
- Shape
- Calzones: Calzones are generally closed and folded which makes a shape like half-moon. They have the stuffing inside the dough.
- Stromboli: They are rolled up like a cylinder and when you slice it, you can see a spiral pattern of filling and dough.
- Serving Pattern
- Calzones: The serving style of calzones resembles personal-sized stuffed pizza pockets.
- Stromboli: After baking the Stromboli, they’re generally cut into pieces like spirals and then served in the form of slices.
- Filling
- Calzones: Calzones are generally filled with ingredients used to fill the pizza, tomato sauce, cheese or vegetables.
- Stromboli: Stromboli filling consists of the fillings used in sandwiches like meats, veggies etc. They may also have pizza-like stuff, but they’re rolled up in dough to make a cylinder.
Calzone Dough
Calzone dough being chewy dough and soft is used to prepare the calzones. It is prepared with yeast, water, olive oil, flour and salt.
After kneading the dough until smooth and elastic, it is allowed to rise for an hour. Once it has risen, you can shape dough out into a circle and add your favorite toppings.
After that, you can fold the calzone in half, seal it and then bake until it turns golden brown.
Calzone Filling
With the help of filling, you can make your calzone filling creative and satisfying according to your own preference. Here are some calzone filling to level up the game:-
- Marinara and mozzarella: It is considered a traditional and simple filling. You can also include ricotta cheese for a creamy texture of the mixture.
- Pepperoni and sausage: Being a traditional pizza combo it works well with calzones. You can also include your favorite meats like Italian sausages, bacon, etc.
- Vegetarian delight: You can include mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, spinach, etc for a complete vegetarian taste.
- BBQ chicken and mozzarella: The combination of smoked BBQ chicken, red onion, and mozzarella can make an unexpected twist to the taste.
- Seafood option: Scallops, shrimp, and calamari with feta cheese, lemon zest, and roasted tomatoes can be considered a great seafood option.
Calzone Dough Recipe Tips
- If you want a chewier crust, allow the dough rise for more 30 minutes before serving it.
- To save your time. You can use store-bought pizza dough.
- You can make your fillings creative with options like mozzarella, pepperoni, mushrooms, sausages, vegetables and ricotta cheese.
- For dipping purpose, you can serve the calzone with marinara sauce.
Storing Calzones
- If you are going to store the calzone in the refrigerator, to keep them moist you can melt butter before wrapping them or brush them with olive oil.
- If you are planning to freeze unbaked calzones, to avoid them from sticking you can melt butter before wrapping them or brush them with olive oil.
- To avoid the calzones drying out, make sure to wrap them in a damp paper towel before storing them.
- If you are freezing the calzones, make sure to mark the date on the container or bag so that you know how long they have been frozen.
Conclusion
In conclusion, calzone dough is a versatile and satisfying foundation for a tasty meal. Calzones can be made healthier and more satisfying by balancing the use of whole wheat flour, adding olive oil and managing portion sizes.
This easy calzone dough recipe provides a soft, chewy crust which is perfect for creative filling. It won’t take you more than an hour to prepare this meal. Make sure to experiment with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Read More:- Krusteaz Waffle Recipe
Calzone Dough Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup warmwater (115 F)
- 1 packet active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup olive oil more required for greasing the bowl
- 2 cup all purpose-flour
Instructions
- In a small bowl, add water, sugar and yeast. Let it stand until the yeast is foamy, it may take around 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, mix flour, salt and olive oil. Stir the mixture of yeast until the dough form.
- After transferring the dough to a lightly floured surface,you need to knead it around 5-7 minutes or until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- For greasing the big bowl, apply the olive oil on it. After placing the dough in the bowl , turning to coat all side with oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place the bowl in the warm place for around 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Set the temperature of the oven to 200°C or 400°F.
- Now, you need to roll out the dough to 12 inch circle afterpunching it down.
- You can distribute your favourite topping over the dough. Avoid overstuffing of dough, as it may be difficult to seal and can even burstduring baking.
- Fold the dough in half, and you can seal the edges with yourfinger or using fork.
- Put the calzone on the greased baking sheet.
- Bake it until the calzone turns golden brown it may takearound 20-25 minutes.
- Before slicing and serving, allow it to cool for few minutes.
