Pizza Calzones

I love cooking.  You all know that.  But let's be honest.  I don't always WANT to cook.  However, here it is, the end of the month, the week before the big Thanksgiving meal.  I do not have the extra cash to be eating out, so I have to make something.  I am tired of stir-fry.  I am tired of heavy meats.  I.am.just.tired.  So what do you do?  How about some simple calzones?

In the same way that stir-fry is a great mid-week go-to, calzones are so easy and versatile that you can use just about anything you have on hand.  For today's recipe I am going to keep it simple.  A basic Pizza Calzone, but you can put ANYTHING you like in yours.

Let's get started...

Pizza Calzone:
*Prep Time: 15 min. to 1 hour  *Cook Time: 20 min. *Difficulty: Easy  *Servings: 4 calzones

Ingredients:

• Pizza Dough (Recipe Here)
• 2 c. of Shredded Mozzarella
• 1 6 oz. package of Pepperoni
• 1 jar of Pizza Sauce (Recipe Here)
• Yellow Corn Meal
• 1 egg

To begin, preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
If you are using a pizza stone you will place it in the oven BEFORE you heat it up.

Next sprinkle a little cornmeal onto your board and place the dough on top of it.
I am using a homemade dough here, but you can purchase it at your local deli inexpensively, or use the canned pizza crust.

With clean hands, press out the dough a little.  Then you can switch to a rolling pin.
Roll the dough out to a 1/4 inch thick making quarter turns as your roll.

Now, on one half of the dough, spread a couple spoonfuls of sauce.

Add the desired amount of pepperoni and cheese.
Remember to allow yourself enough room to close seal the calzone.
It's tempting, but over stuffing is not a good idea.

Now fold the top half of the dough over the filling.
Starting at one corner, fold the edge up and over.

Next beat one egg with a splash of water and brush the top of the calzone.
This will give it that beautiful brown color.

With your pairing knife cut three little slits in the top.
This will allow the steam to vent.

Place on a baking sheet and in the oven to bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the crust is golden brown.

And there you have it!  Golden and crisp on the outside.  Chewy and gooey on the inside.  The best part?  You can get the whole family in the kitchen, set up a topping bar, and everyone gets what they want!  It's a win/win for all!  So the next time you are feeling stressed about what to make for sinner, DON'T! Give these DELICIOUS homemade Pizza Calzones a try!  You will be so glad you did!

And as always...

Happy Reading, Happy Eating, & Happy Living,
~The Kitchen Wife~