calzones*

I LOVE the presentation of this recipe. It always seems to impress and it looks so professional. I am going to try my best with this recipe, because really we just throw everything together and taste it and see what it's missing. Also, we're cooking for about 200, so that's a little different than for 4-6. So here it goes...

Calzones
by Cundy's Culinary Creations

6 pre-sheeted 6" pizza crust dough (or you can use your favorite pizza crust recipe)
egg wash (3 eggs + 3 tsp. milk - beat until well mixed)
3 cups pepperoni
2 tbsp. oil
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 cup diced onions
1/2 cup diced green peppers
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1 tsp. italian seasoning + 2 tbsp. for topping
1 tsp. oregano
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Place the pizza crust dough on baking sheet lined with parchment paper and let sit 1 hour or until dough is thawed.

In a large pan over medium-high heat, drizzle 2 tbsp. of oil. Add your garlic and cook for about a minute. Add the chopped onions and green peppers. Cook until they become tender, about 4-5 minutes. Add pepperoni, tomato sauce, italian seasoning, oregano and salt & pepper. Remove from heat. Let mixture cool down for about 15 minutes, then add mozzarella cheese. 

With a pastry brush, egg wash around the edges of the pizza dough (this helps the dough stick to itself and seal together when the calzone gets folded over). In the center of each pizza dough add about 1/2 cup of calzone filling.

Fold pizza dough over the filling and match it up to the other side. Pinch around the seam with your fingers. Make sure there are no openings so that the filling doesn't ooze out. Egg wash the top of each calzone (this will make it nice and golden brown) and top with reserved italian seasoning.

Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the calzones become golden brown. Serve with a side of marinara or my favorite - ranch dressing.

Keep in mind you can always add any ingredients you would like for the center. You can add sausage, canadian bacon, olives, tomatoes, spinach, artichoke hearts, mushrooms - whatever your little heart desires!

-alyssa*