quick calzones

My carnivore loves anything and everything Italian. But, as he says, vegetarians can't live on cheese pizza alone. I came across a version of these calzones in an issue of Real Simple awhile ago and I knew instantly it would be great for us. He can stuff his with meat and I can get veggies he would never touch (like spinach). Plus, there is all the cheese - who doesn't love that? And, it can be made from start to finish in about 30 minutes. This is a simple meal that anyone can adjust to their own tastes - pretty much anything goes.

For this recipe you will need a little flour, a Pillsbury ready make pizza crust (next to the crescent rolls in most grocery stores), a couple of tablespoons of olive oil, 1 cup of ricotta, 1 cup of mozzarella, 1/4 cup of grated parmesan, and salt and pepper to taste. You will also need to pick the toppings of your choosing (meat or veggies).

First, preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Then simply dust a pastry mat (I love the King Arthur's one pictured above and available at my amazon store) with flour. Take out the crust and cover with flour. Roll it a little. Cut in half or fourths (depending on size and number of calzones you wish to make). Combine cheeses and salt and pepper. Divide the mixture evenly among each calzone crust. Add in your favorite topping. The carnivore likes real pepperoni (the kind you have to slice yourself) and I like mushrooms and spinach (that I have sauteed for a minute or two in a bit of oil). Fold the crust over and place on a foil lined baking sheet. Baste with olive oil. Bake for about 15 minutes until golden brown. Serve while pipping hot!

menu ideas:
These calzones can be a meal on their own, but you can also add a salad. You can also try them with a side of fried eggplant or even sauteed zucchini. If you are serving them at a party they go well with mozzarella sticks as an appetizer.