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| Spinach & Cheese Calzones |
| Ingredients Dough 1 cup wrist-temperature water 1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast 1 tablespoon honey or sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 2 1/2 to 3 cups flour olive oil Method Place the water in a medium bow. Sprinkle in the yeast; stir in honey [or sugar] until everything dissolves Use a whisk to stir in the salt and flour. When it gets too thick to whisk, mix with one floured hand. Knead in the bowl for about 5 minutes. Brush a little olive oil over the dough. Cover the bow and let dough rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk [about an hour]. In the meantime, get your filling ready Filling 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 cup minced onion 1 lb. fresh spinach leaves, stemmed and minced salt and pepper 4 or 5 cloves garlic, minced 3 tablespoons fresh minced basil [or 1 tablespoon dried] 1 lb. ricotta cheese 2 cups [packed] grated mozzarella 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese Method Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet. Add onion and sauté over medium heat until translucent, 5 minutes. Add spinach, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring over high heat for several minutes until the spinach wilts. Stir in the minced garlic and basil and cook 2 minutes. Put the cheeses in a medium bowl. Add the spinach sauté and mix well. Taste to correct seasonings Preheat oven to 450°. Oil a baking tray. Punch down the risen dough. Divide into six equal portions and roll out on a floured surface into circles, 1/4 inch thick. Place 1/2 to 3/4 cup filling one half of each of the circles, leaving a 1/2 inch rim. Use your fingers or a brush to moisten the rim with a little water. Fold over the empty side and crimp the edges with a fork. Use the fork then to poke little holes here and there on the top surface. Arrange the complete calzones on the oiled tray and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until crisp and lightly browned [Optional: brush each pastry with a little melted butter or olive oil during the last 5 minutes of baking. Serve hot. Sometimes I serve these with a little pasta sauce on the side and/or with a nice green salad |
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