cheese and spinach calzones

How to make cheese and spinach calzones recipe

Serves 4

Total cooking time 30 minutes

Ingredients:
500 g (1 lb) strong bread flour, plus extra for dusting
1 x 7-g (¼ -oz) sachet dried yeast
a pinch of salt
3 tablespoons olive oil
300 ml (½ pint) warm water
300 g (10 oz) spinach
400 g (13 oz) ricotta cheese
4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
4 tablespoons grated Pecorino cheese
4 spring onions, sliced
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Method:
To make the dough, place the flour, yeast and salt in a large bowl and mix together. Make a well in the centre. Stir in 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and most of the measured water. Mix together with your hand, gradually adding more water if necessary, until you have a soft, but not sticky dough.

Turn the dough out on to a floured work surface and knead for 5–10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. Divide into 4 pieces and roll each out to 20 cm (8 inch) circles.

Heat the remaining olive oil in a frying pan, add the spinach and cook for 2–3 minutes, until it has completely wilted. Place in a bowl and stir in the remaining ingredients.

Divide the mixture between the 4 circles of dough, placing the mixture on one half of each circle, leaving a 2.5 cm (1 inch) clean edge.

Brush the clean edges with water, then fold the other half over the filling and pinch the edges together to seal. Place the calzones on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven, 220°C (425°F), Gas Mark 7, for 6–8 minutes, until the dough is cooked and the filling is hot.

For cheese & spinach stuffed pitta breads, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a frying pan and sauté 1 sliced red onion for a few minutes, then add 250 g (8 oz) spinach leaves and stir to wilt. Take off the heat and mix with 4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese and 200 g (7 oz) torn mozzarella.

Heat 4 pitta breads, slice along one side and open up. Fill each pitta with the spinach filling. Total cooking time 10 minutes.

cheese and spinach calzones