Calzone Pizza - braided version

Pizza Calzone - Stuffed Variation

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 20-30 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Number of servings: 4-6

Introduction:

Pizza calzone is a delicious combination of classic pizza flavors and the tender texture of a well-risen dough. This braided recipe will not only delight your taste buds, but also bring an artistic touch to your table. The history of calzone is fascinating, with deep roots in culinary traditions where cooking has often been a form of creative expression. Whether you serve it at a family dinner or bring it to a party, pizza calzone is sure to become the star of the table. Let's get started!

Ingredients:

For the dough:
- 1 lb flour (choose 00-type flour for a finer texture)
- 650 ml warm water
- 14 g dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon toasted sugar
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 4 tablespoons olive oil

For the sauce:
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 400 g tomato stock
- 100 g pepper stock
- 1/2 teaspoon chili pepper flakes (optional, for extra spice)
- 1 teaspoon sugar (to balance the acidity of the tomatoes)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste

For the stuffing:
- 300 g cheese, grated (or mozzarella for a creamier texture)
- 150 g sausage of your choice (ham, salami, etc.)
- 100 g pitted olives (optional)

Step by Step:

1. Preparing the dough:
In a large bowl, dissolve the dry yeast together with 1 tablespoon of sugar in 650 ml of warm water. Mix well until the yeast is completely dissolved. This step is essential to activate the yeast and obtain a well-risen dough.

2. Sifting the flour:
In a separate bowl, sift the flour together with the salt. Sifting the flour ensures a uniform texture of the dough, removing any impurities.

3. Kneading the dough:
Make a dent in the center of the sifted flour and pour in the water with the yeast. Start kneading the dough, bringing the flour in from the edges. Once the dough begins to homogenize, add the 4 tablespoons of olive oil. Continue kneading for about 15 minutes until the dough is elastic and smooth.

4. Turn out the dough:
Once you're done kneading, form the dough into a ball and let it rise in a warm environment, covered with a damp towel, for about an hour. The dough should double in volume.

5. Making the sauce:
Meanwhile, you can prepare the sauce. In a skillet, add a tablespoon of olive oil and sauté the chopped onion and garlic over medium heat until golden. Add the chili pepper flakes, chili broth and cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Then add the tomato broth, season with salt, pepper, sugar, oregano and basil. Allow the sauce to simmer 2-3 times, then remove from the heat.

6. Forming the calzone pizza:
Once the dough has risen, sprinkle flour on the work surface and roll it out with a rolling pin until very thin. Cut the dough into rectangles, making sure the sizes are large enough to enclose the filling.

7. Adding the ingredients:
In the center of each rectangle, spread the prepared sauce, then add a layer of grated cheese, followed by the sausage and olives, if you choose to use them. Top with another layer of cheese.

8. Folding the pizza:
Cut the edges of the rectangle into even strips on each side of the filling. Fold the strips of dough so that you cover the filling artistically. Make sure the edges are well sealed so that the filling doesn't come out during baking.

9. Baking the pizza:
Preheat the oven to 220°C. Place the plaited calzone on a baking tray lined with baking paper and bake for 20-30 minutes, until golden brown and crisp. Baking time may vary depending on your oven, so check regularly.

10. Serving:
Once baked, let the pizza calzone cool for a few minutes before slicing. Enjoy each slice with a glass of red wine or fresh lemonade.

Personal Note:
For an even richer flavor, you can add fresh herbs like basil or dill to the stuffing. Another delicious variation is to replace the sausage with roasted vegetables, providing a flavorful vegetarian alternative.

Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use wholemeal flour? Absolutely! Whole wheat flour will add richer flavor and additional nutrients, but will require more water.
- How can I store pizza calzone? You can refrigerate pizza calzone in an airtight container for 2-3 days. You can reheat it in the oven to regain the crunchy texture.
- What other fillings can I use? Try combinations like spinach with ricotta, mushrooms with cheese or even seafood. The possibilities are endless!

Nutritional benefits:
Pizza calzone is a great source of carbohydrates from flour, protein from cheese and cured meats, and fiber from vegetables if you choose to add them. It's a balanced meal, but as with any recipe, moderation is key.

Calories:
One serving of pizza calzone has about 350-450 calories, depending on the ingredients used.

Enjoy cooking and be inspired by the flavors of the braided calzone! Enjoy!

 Ingredients: For the dough: 1 kg flour, 650 ml warm water, 14 g dry yeast, 1 tbsp granulated sugar, 1 tbsp salt, 4 tablespoons olive oil. For the sauce: 1 onion, 3 cloves of garlic, 400 g tomato puree, 100 g bell pepper puree, 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes, 1 teaspoon sugar, oregano, basil. For the pizza: cheese, cold cuts, olives.