Italian Hero Calzones Food

ITALIAN HERO CALZONES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F.
• Lightly grease a very large baking sheet and sprinkle with cornmeal, set aside.
• Drain tomatoes well, reserving oil.
• In a medium bowl, combine the tomatoes, turkey and/or pepperoni, and olives.
• Stir in the mozzarella cheese.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll each package of pizza dough to a 12 x 9 rectangle.
• Using a 3 inch round cutter, cut each rectangle into ten 3 inch circles.
• Place about 1 tablespoon of the meat/cheese mix slightly off centre on each dough circle.
• Fold dough over mixture, forming a semicircle.
• Seal the edge of each semicircle with the tines of a fork.
• Place the calzones on a prepared baking sheet.
• Brush the tops with the reserved oil from tomatoes and sprinkle with parmesan cheese and, if desired, cayenne pepper.
• Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until calzones are golden.
• Serve warm.
• MAKE AHEAD: Prepare and bake calzones as directed.
• Remove to a wire rack and cool completely.
• Place the calzones in a freezer container or freezer bag.
• Seal, label and freeze for up to 2 months.
• To reheat, preheat oven to 350°F.
• Place the frozen calzones on an ungreased baking sheet.
• Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until heated through.
• If necessary, cover loosely with foil to prevent overbrowning.

REAL ITALIAN CALZONES

Steps:

• In a small bowl dissolve yeast in the warm (not hot!) water. Add 1 tablespoons of the oil, sugar and salt, and mix in 1 cup of the flour until smooth. Gradually stir in the rest of the flour until the dough is smooth and workable.
• Knead dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes or until it is elastic. Lay dough in a bowl containing the other teaspoon of olive oil, flipping to coat dough in the oil. Cover and let rise from 40 minutes or until almost doubled.
• While dough is rising combine all remaining ingredients except for the egg in a large bowl, cover and refrigerate to chill.
• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• When the dough is ready, punch it down and separate it into two equal parts. Roll the halves individually out into thin circles on a lightly floured surface.
• Fill one half of each circle with half of the filling mixture and fold over. Seal the edges by pressing with a fork.
• Brush the top of each calzone with the egg wash and place on a greased cookie sheet.
• Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes or until golden brown and heated through.
• Serve with warmed tomato sauce if desired!

REAL ITALIAN CALZONES

Steps:

• To Make Dough: In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add the oil, sugar and salt; mix in 1 cup of the flour until smooth. Gradually stir in the rest of the flour, until dough is smooth and workable. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes, or until it is elastic. Lay dough in a bowl containing 1 teaspoon olive oil, then flip the dough, cover and let rise for 40 minutes, or until almost doubled.
• To Make Filling: While dough is rising, combine the ricotta cheese, Cheddar cheese, pepperoni, mushrooms and basil leaves in a large bowl. Mix well, cover bowl and refrigerate to chill.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• When dough is ready, punch it down and separate it into 2 equal parts. Roll parts out into thin circles on a lightly floured surface. Fill each circle with 1/2 of the cheese/meat filling and fold over, securing edges by folding in and pressing with a fork. Brush the top of each calzone with egg and place on a lightly greased cookie sheet.
• Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 30 minutes. Serve hot.

ITALIAN CALZONE ROLLUPS

Steps:

• Open tube of pizza dough, unroll, and roll out until approximately 8"x12".
• Layer ham and salami, then top with mozzarella cheese. Lightly drizzle with Italian dressing.
• Carefully roll from the long side and pinch well to seal the entire loaf. You should have 1 long roll. Place on lightly oiled cookie sheet, seam side down.
• Bake at 375 for 25 minutes or until lightly brown.
• Slice and serve with marinara sauce for dipping.

EASY ITALIAN PIZZA CALZONES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• In large skillet, brown and crumble sausage, pour off fat.
• Add 3/4 cup pasta sauce, mushrooms, green pepper and onion.
• Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, unroll crescent dough and separate into 8 rectangles. Firmly press perforations together and flatten slightly.
• In a small bowl mix egg and water, brush on dough edges.
• Stir cheese into meat mixture.
• Spoon equal amounts of meat mixture onto half of each rectangle to within 1/2 inch of edges. Fold dough over filling. Press to seal edges. Arrange on baking sheet; brush with egg mixture.
• Bake 15 minutes or until golden brown.
• Heat remaining pasta sauce; serve with calzones.

ITALIAN HERO SANDWICH

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, oregano, mustard, salt and pepper.
• Stir to mix well.
• Whisk in the olive oil until incorporated.
• On a work surface, lay out 3 long pieces of plastic wrap, placing them side by side and slightly overlapping.
• Place the bottom half of the loaf over the wrap.
• Spread the pepperoncini and cherry peppers over the bread.
• Scatter evenly with the lettuce and layer with the tomatoes.
• Drizzle with a few tablespoons of the dressing.
• Layer the meats, one at a time, over the tomatoes, making sure to distribute them evenly.
• Top with a layer of provolone cheese.
• Drizzle the remaining dressing over the cut side of the top of the loaf.
• Place on the layered sandwich and enclose in the plastic.
• Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or for up to 4 hours to develop the flavors.
• To serve, unwrap the sandwich and slice into large pieces about 3 to 4 inches wide.