Broccoli, Ham & Swiss Cheese Calzones

 This is my final attempt {this week} to convince you to try your hand at Homemade Calzone dough.  And oh man, I saved the best for last.  This is my FAVORITE Calzone yet! 

Dijon mustard, fresh broccoli, ham and Swiss cheese encompassed in a soft Parmesan wheat bread.  

 

{click title to print}

Ingredients

FOR THE DOUGH:

• 1 cup Lukewarm Water
• 2-¼ teaspoons Active Dry Yeast
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• ½ teaspoons Sugar
• 3 cups Flour {I Prefer White Wheat}
• 1 Egg Beaten With The Below Amount Of Water
• 2 teaspoons Water

FOR THE FILLING:

• 3 Tablespoons Mayonnaise
• 2 Tablespoons Dijon Mustard
• 1 cup To 1 1/2 Cups Fresh Broccoli Florets, chopped
• ½ whole Small Red Onion, Finely Diced
• 1 cup Finely Diced Ham Cubes
• 1 cup Shredded Swiss Cheese
• ½ cups Shredded Colby Jack
• 1 ounce, weight Grated Parmesan Cheese Powder

For the dough:
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the water, yeast, salt and sugar, and stir to dissolve. Set aside for 15 minutes, then add the flour. Using the dough hook, mix until smooth.

Knead the dough for about 4-6 minutes on medium low speed, adding more flour if necessary. The dough should feel smooth and elastic and not stick to the sides of the bowl or your fingers. Do not overwork the dough!

Lightly oil a bowl and place dough inside, cover with greased plastic wrap, and let dough rise in a warm place until doubled in size. (The time this takes depends on the temperature and humidity of your house, mine took a couple of hours.)

Divide the dough in half, then divide each half in thirds. Shape each piece into a ball and set the 6 balls into the greased bowl again. Cover with greased plastic wrap again, and let rise another 15 minutes.

For the filling:
Combine mayo and mustard in a large bowl then add in chopped broccoli florets, diced onion, ham and cheeses, both Swiss and colby jack.

To assemble:
Preheat oven to 450 F.

On a lightly floured surface, spread each dough ball into a nice-sized circle. Spread one half of the dough circle with 1/6 of the ham filling, leaving a clean area around edge. Fold dough in half and seal, by crimping the edges of the dough together with your fingers. Set the calzone on a baking tray. Repeat until all 6 are done.

Place calzones on a baking sheet and brush the top of each with some egg wash (1 egg beaten with 2 teaspoons water). Make a small incision in the top of each using a knife. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Bake in a preheated oven at 450 F for 14-16 minutes. Enjoy!

~T

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Pepperoni Calzones

  I have spent the last year overcoming my fear of yeast.  Yes, there were ugly roll days, crunchy, flat breadsticks that rose and popped, and even burnt bottom rolls, that were otherwise gorgeous…SO CLOSE!

  Yeast and I used to have a love-hate relationship, but I gotta say, the more you work with it, the easier it comes together!

  I have 3 days of Calzones planned, and I want you to be brave and try your hand at homemade dough, even if you HATE yeast and it hates you back!  I used to just use a roll of Pillsbury Pizza dough for things like this, but guys, that is a white flour bread, and terrible for you!  Sooo, this one uses a white wheat flour, my favorite.  This kind of wheat is lighter in color than traditional wheat, so it has all the benefits of wheat, without the heaviness.  It’s a win-win!

 Fresh ingredients make the BEST food, so keep that in mind, as I ask you to shred fresh mozzarella. It is well worth the extra effort, as it melts and tastes WAY better than the pre-shredded packages of cheese!  We also used homemade marinara sauce from the garden that we made this summer, but I know all of you can’t use that. I’d offer some of ours, but we’d run out! 🙂  Instead, I am suggesting a good quality one from the store. 

{click title for easy printable}

FOR THE DOUGH:

• 1 cup Lukewarm Water
• 2-¼ teaspoons Active Dry Yeast
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• ½ teaspoons Sugar
• 3 cups Flour {White Wheat or even a mix of white and whole wheat flours}
• 1 Egg Beaten With 2 T. Water

FOR THE FILLING:

• 1 jar (25 Oz) High Quality Marinara Sauce
• 1 cup Sliced Pepperoni, I Like The Fatter Slices Of Fresh From The Deli, But Regular Or Mini Could Work Here Too!
• 1 whole Ball Of FRESH Mozzarella, Shredded
• 1 Tablespoon Of A Combo Of Oregano, Basil, Rosemary, Thyme Or An Italian Blend
• 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder

For the dough:
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the water, yeast, salt and sugar, and stir to dissolve. Set aside for 15 minutes, then add the flour, using the dough hook, and mix until smooth. Knead about 4-6 minutes on medium low speed, adding more flour if necessary. The dough should feel smooth and elastic and not stick to the sides of the bowl or your fingers. However, do not overwork the dough!
Lightly oil a bowl and place dough inside, cover with sprayed plastic wrap, and let dough rise in a warm place until doubled in size. (The time this takes depends on the temperature and humidity of your house, mine took 3 hours.) Divide the dough in half, then each half in thirds. Shape each piece into a ball. Cover with sprayed plastic wrap again, and let rise another 15-20 minutes.

For the filling:
Shred the fresh mozzarella. Do not skip this step! You will be blown away at how amazing fresh mozzarella tastes and melts, compared to the pre-shredded stuff! Toss with Italian seasonings of choice and garlic powder.

To assemble:
Preheat oven to 400ºF.
On a lightly floured surface, spread each dough ball into a nice-sized circle. Spoon a marinara sauce on each circle of dough, covering one half, but leaving a nice clean edge. Next, divide seasoned mozzarella between them, then the pepperoni, be generous! YUM! Fold in half and seal by crimping the edges of the dough with your fingers. Brush calzones with an egg wash (1 egg beaten with 2 teaspoons water). Make a small incision on the top. Optional: Sprinkle tops of each calzone with more Italian seasonings and/or parmesan cheese for an extra punch of flavor.
Bake until golden, 18 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Enjoy with warmed up leftover marinara sauce and a nice salad!

~T