Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Homemade Vegan Calzones



Homemade Vegan Calzones
I don't think there are many people out there that don't like Italian food, its COMFORT to the core. Some of the classic dishes are pasta, pizza, and I think the lesser known calzone. Not many people actually think of the calzone as a favorite. But what isn't better than a pizza that is folded and stuffed full of your favorite topping?! I can't think of much else...other than 2 stuffed calzones with all your favorite toppings! This recipe shows you how to make the perfectly stuffed calzone. With its crisp crust, melty vegan cheese, and all your favorite toppings, you are all set for a Italian night in. The possibilities are endless when thinking of what to stuff your calzone with. Everyone has there favorite and it is a perfect party food. You can make the recipe for two or make your doughs smaller and make small individual ones for everyone. You can't go wrong when picking and choosing. Serve each calzone with your favorite marinara or pizza sauce and serve with a smile. No delivery tip required...unless you want to tip the cook...Enjoy!

Homemade Vegan Calzones
Ingredients
(Each Calzone gets)

-1/2 to 1 Tablespoons fresh basil, minced
-1/2 cup vegan cheese 
-1/2 cup vegan ricotta
-Salt & Fresh Ground Black Pepper, to taste

Homemade Pizza Dough (recipe below) or 1 store bought vegan pizza dough
Homemade Vegan Ricotta (recipe below) or 1 store bought vegan ricotta

Optional
(Each Calzone gets)

-1/4 cup sauteed peppers and onions
-Vegan Pepperoni-
-Vegan Sausage
-Mixed Veggies

To Serve

-Your favorite Marinara for Dipping

Directions

I recommend using a pizza stone at all times when making pizzas, calzones, or other bread items. It is an inexpensive item that gives your recipe the best outcome. If not using a pizza stone, you can use a lightly greased baking sheet. 

Heat the oven to 400 Degrees with your pizza stone inside. If using baking sheet, add with calzone instead.
Pizza Stone
Take your now risen pizza dough, divide into 2 balls and roll each of them out on a lightly floured surface until thin (without breaking). 

2 Dough Balls 
1 Dough Ball Rolled Out
Spoon on the 1/2 cup ricotta, basil, vegan cheese, and any of the fillings onto half of the dough circle. 

Basil for Recipe
Ingredients Place on Doug
Sauteed Peppers & Onions for this Recipe
Toppings Placed
Lightly brush the edges with oil, fold half of the dough over itself, and then press the edges to seal. 

Dough Folded Over
To ensure the edges seal you can use a fork and press the edges to crimp or you can fold and pinch the edges to seal.

Crimped Edges
Brush the surface of each calzone with some oil and/or vegan milk. You can add on salt and pepper, to taste and some dried herbs if desire. I pierce the top of my calzones, they can puff up and break in the oven, this gives it a vent for steam to escape. 

Herbed Top
(Optional)
Place one at a time or both at once (depending on pizza stone size or if using baking sheets). 

Calzone Placed on Pizza Stone
Then bake for 30 minutes. If you like it more browned at the end of cooking time, turn your oven to broil and cook until light golden all over, about 3 to 5 minutes.

Perfectly Golden Brown Calzone
(It may ooze, its okay)
Once completely baked, take out of the oven and let rest for 10 to 15 minutes. Serve with your favorite warm Marinara or Pizza Sauce. Enjoy! 



-Amy 


Homemade Recipes Below

Vegan Ricotta 

Vegan Ricotta

Ingredients

-1 can of full fat Coconut Milk
-1 teaspoon white vinegar
-1 1/2 teaspoons powdered Agar Agar
-2 Tablespoons Nutritional Yeast
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-1/2 teaspoon Italian Seasoning or dried basil
-1/4 teaspoon black pepper
-1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
-1/2 cup grated Daiya Cheese (white kind: Mozzarella or Jack)

Directions

In a medium sauce pot bring the coconut milk, vinegar, salt & pepper, and agar agar powder to a light boil. Once it starts to boil lightly for about 1 to 2 minutes.

Pre-Boiled Ricotta Mixture
Boiled Ricotta Mixture






























Remove it from the heat and stir in the nutritional yeast and herbs. Whisk until the ingredients combine and nutritional yeast dissolves. Once combined, pour into a glass storage dish and place in refrigerator to set up and gel for a couple hours or even over night.


Seasoned Ricotta Mixture

Once the mixture is set up and gelled, use a fork to break up the mixture into a smooth and not lumpy consistency  Once smooth, Add in your vegan Daiya cheese and place back in the refrigerator until you want to use it.




Homemade Perfect Pizza Dough


Ingredients

-4 cups bread flour or all-purpose
-1 teaspoon sugar
-1 envelope instant dry yeast
-2 teaspoons kosher salt
-1 1/2 cups hot water, 1/4 cup more if needed
-3 tablespoons olive oil

Note
Bread flour will give you a crispier crust and all-purpose flour will give you a chewier crust, your preference.

Directions

Combine the bread flour, sugar, yeast and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and mix to combine. While the mixer is running, add the water and 2 tablespoons of the oil and beat until the dough starts to forms into a ball. If the dough is sticky, add additional flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together in a solid ball. If the dough is too dry, add additional water, 1 tablespoon at a time. 

Pre-Conpleted Dough Ball
Scrape the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead into a smooth, firm ball.

Finished Dough Ball
Grease a large bowl, add the dough, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and put it in a warm area to let it double in size, about 1 to 2 hour. Once risen completely you can use for your recipe.

-Amy

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