Calzone

Ingredients for dough : ( Same dough is used for making pizza too) -  makes 3 calzone
All purpose flour - 500 gms ,
Salt - 1 tsp,
Dried yeast - 1 tsp or 7 gms sachet,
Caster sugar or powdered white sugar - 1/2 tbsp,
Olive oil - 2 tbsp,
Luke warm water - 1 and 1/4 cup or  325 ml.

Method :
Sieve flour and salt in a bowl and evenly mix it with a whisk .
In a cup filled with 325 ml of luke warm water ( 20 seconds in microwave ) add the dried yeast and stir with a spoon.
Let it rest for 10 minutes.
Add  2 tbsp of olive oil and stir .
Take the flour bowl and make a whole in the center .
Pour the yeast oil mixture.
With a fork mix the dough in circular motion bringing all the flour in the center.
As it starts to come together ,dump the dough on the counter .
Using your hand ,gather the dough and knead the dough for 10 minutes .
Press the dough with  the back end of your palm and make folds, press and right turns and then press again. ( use both hands )
Kneading  has to done for 10 minutes, until your dough is smooth and springy. ( The real  test is  when you poke with your finger ,the dough will bounce back )
Place the dough in a greased bowl ,flipping it so that oil is evenly coated on all sides.
Cover with a damp cloth and let it rest for 1 hr in oven .
The dough will double in size .
Punch the dough to take out the air .
Make a ball and divide the dough according to your size .
You can use the dough right away or wrap it up and keep in the fridge.

Ingredients for filling : 3 calzone

Spinach - 1/2 kg - blanched ,
Chicken ham slices - 1 packet- 8 to 10 slices ,
Mushroom - 1 packet - sliced or chopped,
Green bell pepper - 1 - sliced  or chopped,
Onion -1 - sliced,
Garlic - 4 or 5 chopped,
Mozzarella cheese - 1 packet  - cut thick slices ,
Oregano - 1/4 tsp,
Chilli flakes - 1/4 tsp,
Salt and pepper,
Olives and jalapeno.
Egg - 1 beaten ( for egg wash - add 1 tbsp of water  to the beaten egg  ).

 Filling:
Chop the blanched spinach.
Heat  1/2 tsp of oil in pan and add chopped garlic.

As the garlic turns brown add the spinach.
Sprinkle a pinch of salt and pepper.
Stir fry in high heat till the spinach is dry.

Close gas and take out the spinach in a bowl.
Heat  1/2 tsp of oil in pan and add the sliced onions.

Stir fry for few seconds ,then add the bell peppers.
After 30 seconds add the mushrooms.

Stir fry in heat heat till the vegetables are dry.

Assemble :
Pre heat oven to 250 C 
Let the oven be on for half hour.
Place the baking tray in the center of the oven while baking.
Grease the tray with olive oil and sprinkle bread crumbs.

Divide the dough into 3 equal size or  divide the dough according to your size.
Wrap the three balls with cling film and let it rest for 15 minutes at room temperature

Sprinkle some bread flour on the counter and roll the dough into thin circles.

Leaving an inch around the edge of the circle ,lay few slices of chicken ham,

then a layer of spinach,then onion pepper mushroom mixture ,sliced olives and jalapenos .

Sprinkle salt and pepper ,chilli flakes.
Top it up with slices of mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle  dried oregano. 

Take the egg wash and make a thin coating around the edges of the dough.
Fold and cover the dough.
Press lightly with the back of your palm so that excess air is out.
Make crimps by folding  the edges. 

You can press it with a fork too.
Make a slight  cut or hole  in the center of the calzone.

Brush the top with egg wash.
Transfer the calzone to the greased baking tray.

Let it bake for 30 minutes.

Take out from oven and let it rest for 2 to 3 minutes.
Slice from the center and enjoy while still warm with marinara sauce.

Best eaten fresh from the oven.

You can make your own filling.
Very delicious and tasty!

Ingredients for marinara sauce :
Ripe tomato - 1 kg- chopped,
Garlic clove - 3 or 4 small - chopped,
Basil leaves - small bunch,
Chilli flakes - a pinch,
Dried oregano - 1/4 tsp,
Salt and pepper,
Sugar - 1/4 tsp ( optional )
Olive oil - 2 tbsp.

Chop the tomatoes and keep in a bowl.
Heat  oil and lightly brown the garlic.

Add the basil leaves.

After few seconds ,add the chopped tomatoes ,salt and pepper.
Mix and  cover .

Let it cook and simmer for 10 minutes .

The tomatoes will be soften .
Take a hand blender and blend for few seconds .

You can use the blender while the pan is still on heat or take out from heat  and blend for  few seconds .
The tomatoes will be mashed and the sauce will thicken.
Remove the blender .
Add chilli flakes and oregano.

Let the sauce thicken for 10 minutes more.
Taste seasoning .

Close gas when you think the sauce is thick enough  ( Test - coats the back of the spoon  ).

 Serve  this sauce with calzone.