Calzones

Ashton should be so proud that I am contributing. Tried this one for the first time last night and EVERYONE really liked it, which is unusual around our house.

DOUGH:
1 pkg. active dry yeast
2 - 2 1/2 cups of flour
3/4 cup warm water
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt

FILLING:
1 cup part skim Ricotta cheese
4 oz. Mozzarella cheese, shredded
4 oz. cooked ham
2 tsp. oregano leaves
salt and pepper to taste

For dough, combine yeast and 1 cup flour in a small mixer bowl. Combine water, olive oil, sugar and salt. Add to yeast mixture; beat at low speed of electric mixer until just combined. Beat 3 minutes at medium speed; scrape bowl occasionally.

Stir in as much remaining flour as you can. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in enough remaining flour to make a moderately stiff dough that is smooth and elastic (6-8 minutes total). Place in a greased bowl. Cover; let rise in a warm place until nearly double, 45 - 60 minutes. Punch down.

Combine the filling ingredients.

Divide dough into sixths. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion to an 8" round. Divide filling among the six rounds; place filling on half of each circle. Moisten edges with water; fold dough over to form a half circle. Seal and crimp edges. Prick tops.

Place calzones on sheets and brush tops with milk.

Bake in 400 - 450 degree oven 10 -12 minutes or until calzones are golden brown. Let stand five minutes before serving.

Since this was my first time making this and because I was in a hurry (as always) I just threw all of the dough ingredients in my kitchen aid, mixed it till it was a stiff but elastic like dough and then left if alone for about an hour. I didn't read the directions well and when I make bread I'm use to letting it rise again so I rolled out the rounds and left them alone until I was ready to fill and cook them (probably another hour) We added pineapple to the ingredients and served them with spaghetti sauce on top. I made some with salami as the meat also. You could add anything that sounds good to you. I also doubled the recipe but only made 8 rounds so they were HUGE, but it worked for our family. Good luck, let me know if anyone tries this recipe and if you liked it. Brenda