Mini Calzone/Pizza Recipe

I made 45 of these little puppies yesterday and put them in the freezer. Beth & Sahara like to take them in their lunches and the rest of us like to eat them whenever (we just microwave them for about 40 seconds straight from the freezer--of course they are best straight from the oven).


Pizza Dough

2 3/4 to 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 package active dry yeast
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup warm water
2 Tablespoons olive oil

In a large bowl combine 1 1/4 cups of the flour, the yeast, and salt. Add warm water and oil. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes. Using a spoon, stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can. (I use my KitchenAid for this first part of the process and then hand knead.) Turn 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). Divide in half. Cover; let rest 10 minutes.

Thin Pizzas: Make pizza sauce (see below). Grease two 12-inch pizza pans or cookie sheets. If desired, sprinkle sheets with cornmeal. On a lightly floured surface, roll each half of dough into a 13 inch circle (if using cookie sheets, shape into rectangle). Transfer to pans. Do not let rise! Bake in 425 degree F oven about 12 minutes or until browned. Spread pizza sauce, cheese, desired meats and/or other toppings on hot crust. Bake 10-15 minutes more or until bubbly. Serves 6.

Calzones: Prepare as for Thin Pizzas, except after the transferring to prepared pans, spoon sauce and meat on half of each circle to within 1 inch of edge. Sprinkle with vegetables and cheese. Moisten edges of dough with water. Fold dough in half over filling. Seal edge by pressing with tines of fork. Prick top. Brush top with milk. If desired, sprinkle parmesan cheese. Back in a 375 degrees F oven for 30-35 minutes or until crust is lightly browned. Serves 6.

Mini Calzones: I take a small ball of dough (a little bigger than a golf ball) and roll it in my hands. then I flatten it on a lightly floured surface and roll thin with rolling pin. Spoon a little sauce in the middle and spread around with back of spoon. Add a few pepperoni slices or a small spoon of sausage on top of sauce. Add tiny bit of cheese. Moisten edges. Fold over and crimp edges with fork tines. Do NOT brush with milk and prick top (as you would with a regular calzone). Place on a baking sheet (sprayed with Pam). Bake in 425 degree F oven for about 15-18 minutes. Let cool before freezing.



Pizza Sauce

I made myself measure everything this last time I made pizza sauce to get an idea of what I use. I rarely measure. Adjust to your own tastes.

2 14 oz. cans tomato sauce
2-4 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon oregano
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
3 teaspoons basil (or more--this is what makes a great sauce in my opinion)

Mix all ingredients in small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10-15 minute (or 20 min). Use on pizza or calzones, or as a marinara dip.

(I use the same thing for my spaghetti sauce. However I do NOT add sugar, and I add a couple bay leaves. You can add whatever cooked meat you'd like to the sauce and let simmer for a half hour or so.)