I love calzones for the versatility. You can throw virtually any type of ingredients inside, sprinkle a little cheese, and bake to perfection. With versatility also come options for presentation. I saw some heart shape calzones on Pinterest and decided to give ‘em a whirl.
I started off with my absolute favorite pizza crust recipe from Martha Stewart. I typically always have some on hand because we are definitely pizza eaters.
Calzone Dough
*freezer friendly
Ingredients
•1 1/2 cups warm (115 degrees) water
•2 packets (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
•1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for bowl
•2 tablespoons sugar
•2 teaspoons coarse salt
•2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for kneading
•2 cups whole-wheat flour (spooned and leveled)
Directions
1.Place water in a large bowl; sprinkle with yeast. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Brush another large bowl with oil.
2.In bowl with yeast, whisk sugar, oil, and salt. Stir in flours with a wooden spoon until a sticky dough forms. Transfer to oiled bowl; brush top of dough with oil. Cover bowl with plastic wrap; let stand in a warm spot until dough has doubled in size, about 1 hour.
3.Turn dough out onto a well-floured surface. With floured hands, knead until smooth, about 15 seconds; divide into two balls.
4.Set balls on a plate (they should not touch); freeze until firm, about 1 hour. Then freeze in a freezer bag up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator.
*If you aren’t freezing, then skip #4 and just use the dough!
Calzone Filling
-whatever your heart desires
-I used marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and ground beef flavored with hamburger seasoning.
Directions
-use a heart shape cookie cutter (or just free hand it)
-spread your marinara, cheese and toppings on one piece of the heart (leave a little room around the edges to seal the calzone)
-place the other heart dough on top and seal the edges with a fork
-brush the top with some melted butter and sprinkle a little salt or garlic salt
-place in a pre-heated oven (400 degrees) for 12-15 minutes
Enjoy! It’s perfect for your special someone on Valentine’s Day!
