Quarterback Calzones Recipes

Steps:

• Place the frozen rolls (or frozen bread loaves) on a baking sheet to thaw. Cover with a tea towel and let thaw and rise for 2 to 3 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and allow to cook for a couple of minutes. Add the sausage and cook until brown, crumbling the sausage as you stir. Add the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Remove from the skillet and allow to cool on a plate.
• In a separate bowl, combine the ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, salt, some pepper, parsley and 2 eggs.
• When the sausage is cool, stir it into the cheese mixture and set aside.
• When the rolls are thawed and risen, roll them out on a lightly floured surface until paper thin. Spoon 3 to 4 tablespoons of the filling onto half of the dough circle. Fold half of the dough over itself, and then press the edges to seal.
• Brush the surface of each calzone with the beaten egg, and then bake until nice and golden brown, 10 to 13 minutes. Serve with warm Marinara Sauce.
• Add a tablespoon or so of olive oil into a hot pan over medium-high heat and throw in the garlic and chopped onions and give them a stir.
• Now add the wine (or chicken broth), whisking to deglaze the bottom of the skillet. Cook until the liquid reduces by half.
• Add the crushed tomatoes and stir to combine. Add salt and pepper to taste and a pinch of sugar. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Toward the end of the cooking process, chop up your fresh parsley and basil and add it to the sauce to taste, stirring to combine.

Steps:

• For each calzone, press two dinner rolls together. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 6-in. x 3-1/2-in. oval. Spread 1/4 cup sauce to within 1/2 inches of edge. Top with 1/4 cup cheese, 1 tablespoon green pepper, 1 to 2 teaspoons olives if desired and 4 pepperoni slices. Press two more rolls together and roll into a slightly larger oval. Place over filling; firmly press edges to seal. Cut another roll in half and roll out to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut a 3-in. x 1/4-in. strip. Place lengthwise down center of calzone. To form laces, cut four 1-in. x 1/8-in. strips; place across center strip. Cut two 4-in. x 1/4-in. pieces of dough. Place one across each end of calzone, curving to form a crescent shape. Transfer to a greased baking sheet. Lightly brush tops with oil. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 15 minutes. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 16-17 minutes or until golden brown. Cut calzones in half before serving. Yield: 8 calzones.