And they thought I was Itialian after they tried my calzones!!!

Guten Abend!

As in good evening (in German). So I'm not Italian, but a European mut. But after trying this calzone recipe, you will be imagining that you’re on the border of Umbria on top of your three story villa overlooking the sunflower fields of Tuscany while Vincenzo is tending to the chicken coop across the street, screaming in frustration as he chases a loose rooster back into the caged pen.

 To begin were going to need to gather some items from your local market.

 I am assuming we all like to take the early evening to prepare so we can enjoy a nice meal with friends and family.

 Oven baked Calzones

 Ingredients:
    Pizza Dough
   - 2.5 cups of all purpose flour
   - 1 cup of warm water
   - 1 .25oz packet of active yeast
   - 1 tablespoon olive oil
   - 1 teaspoon of white sugar
   - 1 teaspoon of salt

 Stuffing
   - 1 pound of hot "Italian" sausage
   - Ricotta Cheese (I usually can only find the 15oz tub of whole milk ricotta)
   - 2 tomatoes
   - spinach
   - pesto (use this as a spread substituting tomato sauce(
   - 2-3 cloves of garlic (minced)
 
Dough Prep

Let's begin by prepping the dough. in a large bowl, add warm water and yeast and stir till it has dissolved. Then add olive oil, sugar and salt and stir. When mixed, add 1 cup of flour and stir until smooth and then add the remainder of the flour in 1/2 cup increments until you begin to form a ball of dough.

You should have what looks like a softball size of dough. Lightly flour down a clean surface and knead dough for approx 5 mins. When done kneading, add about 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a clean bowl and put dough in it and turn until dough has been covered in oil. Cover and let sit for 40-45 minutes. The dough should rise to about twice its size.

Oh yeah btw... cookies are optional, but highly recommended!! ^^^

Stuffing Prep

While dough is rising, cook sausage in pan on medium-high heat until cooked through. Pre-heat oven to 475 degrees. When dough is ready, cut in three even pieces. There should be enough dough for 3 calzones or personal pizzas.
 
Roll dough out to approximately ¼ inch thin. Any thinner and it will easily tear when transporting it to the baking sheet. Add pesto, garlic, tomato, spinach and sausage on one half of the dough. Then dollop ricotta cheese ontop in 4 even piles.

Fold over the uncovered side and press lightly on the edges to seal it closed. Make small incisions to let the heat escape while cooking.

Pop in the oven and cook for 15 minutes until golden brown. Let it for 3 minutes and enjoy!