Arugula Ricotta Calzones Food

CROSTINI WITH RICOTTA AND PINK PEPPERCORNS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• On a slight bias, slice the baguette into 1/4-inch slices. Brush the slices with the 1/4 cup olive oil, then place on a baking sheet and sprinkle with the 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bake until golden brown and crunchy, 10 to 12 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the ricotta, lemon zest, 3 tablespoons olive oil, and 1/8 teaspoon salt.
• Once the crostini are cool, top each with 1 heaping tablespoon of ricotta mixture, a pinch of coarse salt and a sprinkling of crushed pink peppercorns. Serve at room temperature.

ARUGULA & RICOTTA CALZONES

Steps:

• Put oven rack in lower third of oven and preheat oven to 450°F.
• Cook garlic in oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat for 1 to 2 minutes, until golden. Add arugula and cook, stirring frequently, until wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain arugula and remove as much water as possible, then coarsely chop.
• Stir together ricotta, mozzarella, Parmigiano-Reggiano, yolk, salt, and pepper until blended. Stir arugula into mixture.
• Quarter pizza dough, then roll out each piece into an 8-inch round with a rolling pin. Put one fourth of cheese filling (about 1/3 cup) in center of 1 round and fold dough in half to enclose filling and form a semicircle. Press edges together to seal.
• Beginning at 1 end and working toward the other, stretch sealed edge outward, pinching and rolling edge to form a rope, and transfer to baking sheet. Make 3 more calzones in same manner, transferring to baking sheet.
• Bake calzones until golden and puffed, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from oven and cool on baking sheet 5 minutes before serving.

SPINACH-RICOTTA CALZONES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F and coat baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
• Place spinach in microwave-safe bowl and microwave uncovered on high power (100%) for 3 to 4 minutes or just until thawed. Stir, then squeeze out moisture.
• Place spinach back in bowl and add ricotta, Parmesan cheese, bacon, garlic, and salt; stir together thoroughly.
• Divide dough into 4 equal portions.
• On well-floured surface, roll each portion out into approximately a 6-inch circle. Place one-fourth of filling in center of each circle.
• Moisten one half of edge with water and fold dough over filling, pressing edges together to seal. Cut several small slits in top of each to allow steam to escape.
• Place calzones on prepared baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees until golden, 12 to 15 minutes.
• Let stand for several minutes to cool slightly.
• Serve with marinara sauce for dipping.