CALZONE (braided pizza)

Pizza... I shared my pizza recipe a few months ago. It can be viewed on this link👇 

http://azambiankitchen.blogspot.com/2016/03/pizza.html?m=1

But here's a twist to the round pizza you normally eat. Calzone is an Italian oven-baked folded pizza. Ever heard of it? No worries if you haven't. Its just like an ordinary pizza but folded. Intresting right? ☺
The original Italian recipe calls for salted dough and is normally shaped like a pie. But we're going to braid the pizza, yum yum. The part you really need to get right is the dough. Here's a step by step recipe with pictures. Please try it out and give me feedback on how it comes out with pictures too. 
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Let's get started....

INGREDIENTS

Flour 2 1/2 cups cake flour/household flour/all purpose flour (extra for dusting )
2 tsp instant dry yeast
1 tsp household sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup warm water
Pepperoni, small cubes
Ham, small cubes
Bell peppers 2, small cubes
Onion (grate half and slice the other half)
Tomato puree ( or 2 grate tomatoes and 1 chopped in small cubes)
Garlic,  2 cloves finely chopped
Black pepper
Oil 2 TBSP (extra for the sauce )
Cheese (mozzarella/gouda/cheddar ) 100g
Egg #1 (for brushing )

CHEF TIP: if you really want to try this out today but have no pepperoni and ham. Use left over relish like chicken,beef,sausage even vegetables (for the vegans😃) chop into small pieces and make it like a pro👊


METHOD
In a cup with warm water, add the yeast and sugar. Stir and set asid for 10 minutes till it becomes frothy.










In a clean bowl add the flour,salt, oil and mix
Pour the yeast mixture in the flour and combine










If you the mixture is dry,add extra water in small amounts till the dough comes together. Do not make a soggy dough, it must be firm.
Once that's done, on a clean surface, dust some flour and place your dough on the dusted surface










At this point you'll want to roll your sleeves, 'cause this is were the hard work begins😅
Timing yourself for 10 minutes, (seriously, time yourself)  knead the dough till it's smooth,elastic and not sticky. Add a little flour at a time till your reach the desires texture
This helps kick start the enzymes in the yeast to being more active.
Shape the dough into a ball and lightly oil the bowl that was used earlier and place the dough inside. Lightly oil the top of the dough and punch it down with your fist










Cover with cling wrap or a dump cloth and place in a nice warm area (not scortching hot). For about 1 1/2 -2hrs or untill double in size.

CHEF TIP: If the weather is cold, heat up a mug of water in the microwave for about a minute. Turn off tht microwave and place the bowl inside with the heated water and close till required time.

In the meantime, let's make the tomato sauce which you can find on my pizza recipe 👇

http://azambiankitchen.blogspot.com/2016/03/pizza.html?m=1

After the sauce has been made,slice onion,chop the bell peppers,tomato,pepperoni and ham. As well as, grating the cheese



















CHEF TIP: Ensure your dough has risen before proceeding to the next stage. This is very important as your dough will be like a biscuit if it hasn't.

The dough should have risen by now(doubled in size) ,press it down gently and set aside for a few minutes to rest-covered
Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 180 degree C/350 degrees F
Grease your baking tray with butter
Dust your clean surface with flour, get your rolling pin and cutter  (knife) ready for some action.





CHEF TIP: if you want to braid the pizza on the surface, ensure it is adequately floured at the bottom otherwise it will be difficult to transfer. For beginners, I'd suggest you do it on your greased baking tray

Divide the dough into 3-4 parts.
With the other dough covered,roll the dough in an oval like shape(Not too thin )










Spread your tomato sauce vertically in the middle from the top to bottom. Add the cheese over the sauce,pepperoni,ham,bell pepper,tomato, onion and a dash of black pepper.
Ensure the edges are clean.










Using your cutter/knife make diagonal lines(like a fish bone) in the sides leaving the top and bottom part uncut










Fold the top and bottom parts and criss-cross the cut sides till the end.






























Carefully place them all on your baking tray and eggs wash them (brush them with a beaten egg)
Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or untill golden brown.
Serve warm.





Enjoy!
 


Comments

Kendra H said…
This looks yummy! I've had calzones before, but I've never braided the dough. Great idea. :)
☺thanks Kendra,hope you try it out
Unknown said…
I tried it,it was yummy...Thanks

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