Calzone Recipe | Pizza Pockets | Calzone Pocket

Making Sponge

1. Warm the water. Dissolve sugar, sprinkle yeast and the ½ cup of all-purpose flour.
2. With a wired whisk, beat this sponge mixture well and make sure there are no lumps.
3. Close the bowl and allow the mixture to bubble up at room temperature for about 30 minutes to 50 minutes.

Making Dough

1. Add the 2 tablespoons olive oil, ½ to ¾ salt (or as required) and 1 cup whole wheat flour in this sponge mixture.
2. Stir and mix well with a wooden spoon or spatula.
3. Later add other 1 cup of whole wheat flour and continue stirring till the whole mixture gathers together and starts leaving the sides of the bowl.
4. Lastly add the ½ cup of whole wheat flour and working with your hands begin to knead.
5. Place the whole dough mixture on the work surface and knead very well till the dough becomes smooth, springy and elastic. Add more water if required.
6. Brush water all over the dough and place in a bowl covered with a kitchen towel.
7. Allow to leaven and rise for about 45 mins to 1 hour.
8. Once the dough has risen well and doubled up, divide the dough into 5 equal balls.
9. Place them in a bowl covered for about 10 to 15 minutes.

Making calzone stuffing

1. In a frying pan or skillet, heat olive oil. Add the finely chopped onions and garlic and sauté till the onions soften and turn translucent.
2. Add the chopped bell peppers and sauté till the bell pepper are almost cooked.
3. Some crunch is desirable in the bell peppers.
4. Then add the crushed black pepper, salt, wine, basil and parsley or coriander leaves (cilantro).
5. Stir to mix and turn off the stovetop. Set aside the stuffing to cool.
6. When the stuffing becomes warm, grate the cheese on top of it.
7. Add the cream and mix thoroughly.
8. Keep this calzone filling aside till it completely cools.

Assembling and making calzone

1. Before baking preheat the oven 20 minutes before at 250 degrees Celsius.
2. Take a ball and roll into a round of 5 to 6 inches diameter on a lightly dusted board.
3. Place the filling on one side keeping a space of about 1 centimeter all around the edge.
4. Gently cover the stuffed side and join the edges.
5. Press the folded edges with a fork so that the edges are pressed well.
6. You can also brush some water and then press the edges. The calzone have to be folded really well, so that the stuffing does not come out while baking.

Baking calzone

1. Gently lift and place the calzone in a greased tray. Make other calzones this way.
2. Place the calzone in the pre heated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes till they are golden from top.
3. Remove them with the help of a spatula and keep on a wire rack for cooling.
4. Brush the calzone surface with olive oil when they are still hot.
5. You can bake all of them once if you have a large oven or bake in batches.
6. When they are warm, slice them and serve with tomato sauce, ketchup or pizza sauce.