I am almost done going through the Smitten Kitchen recipes. My whole life I have always loved Pizza. Growing up in NYC it is impossible not to fall in love with pizza. I think I lived off it for most of my childhood. Calzones are like a stuffed pizza with extra crust and extra cheese.
Eggplant Calzone
Serving Size: 1 Calzone
Total Time: 1 hour
Source: Recipe adapted from SmittenKitchen cookbook.
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium eggplant, sliced 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick
pinch of salt and pepper
one 3/4-pound pizza dough (you can use fresh or frozen)
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup mozzarella, shredded
1/3 cup parmesan cheese, grated
pinch of dried oregano
fresh basil
tomato sauce (for topping)
Quick Sauce:
1 cup strained tomatoes
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 garlic clove, minced
red pepper flakes
pinch of sugar (optional)
few drops of red wine vinegar (optional)
Step 1: Prepare the eggplant: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Coat a baking sheet with olive oil. Arrange the eggplant slices in one layer. Season them with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Roast for 20 minutes, flip, then roast for another 10 minutes. Let the eggplant cool slightly. Leave oven on.
Step 2: Assemble calzone: Roll the dough into a 12-inch round. Mix together ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan, then season the cheese with 1/2 teaspoon table salt, a pinch of dried oregano (or more to taste), and freshly ground pepper. Stir the eggplant into the cheese mixture, and then heap it down the center of the dough. Pull the sides of the dough over the center, pressing and crimping a seam down the middle. Brush the outside of the calzone with egg wash or milk wash or oil.
3) Bake the calzone for 15 to 20 minutes until puffed and golden all over.
4) Make fresh sauce or you can use jar sauce. Heat the tomatoes, salt, garlic, and a pinch of red pepper flakes in a small saucepan until simmering. Gently simmer for 5 minutes, then taste for seasoning. For extra sweetness or punch, add a pinch of sugar or a few drops of red wine vinegar to taste and simmer for one minute more. Pour into a small dish.
5) To serve: when the calzone is finished baking, slide it onto a serving dish, and slice into larger sections. Garnish with snipped basil and serve with sauce on the side.
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