Our Favorite "Family Night" Meal

I don't know how it is in your house, but we used to get (or make) a pizza once a week whenever we decided to have a family night. Now that we are dairy-free, we have had to come up with a worthy alternative. This is what we have come up with, and I have to say that I think we actually enjoy it even more than we used to enjoy the pizzas we got. There is a good feeling that comes along with making "special" meals for your family and letting them get involved. This is a great meal to let the kids help out with. =)

I guess you could call these "Dairy-free Calzones."

Pizza Dough
Ingredients:
*1 package active dry yeast
*About 4 1/2 cups all purpose flour (We actually use 3 to 3 1/2 cups of all purpose and 1 to 1 1/2 cups of whole wheat. The whole wheat makes the dough stronger, so it won't rip as easily while you're forming the calzones, PLUS it's good for you.)
*1 tsp. salt
*1 1/2 cups water

Directions:
1. In large bowl, combine yeast, 2 cups flour and 1 teaspoon salt. In 1-quart saucepan over low heat, heat water until very warm (120 to 130 degrees F). With mixer (KitchenAid with dough hook) at low speed, just blend water into dry ingredients. At medium speed, beat 2 minutes, occasionally scraping bowl with rubber spatula. Beat in 1/2 cup flour to make a thick batter; beat 2 minutes more. Stir (or continue using dough hook) in about 1 1/2 cups flour to make a soft dough.

2. On floured surface (or continuing with dough hook), knead dough about 8 minutes, adding more flour if needed (dough should not stick to the bowl or your fingers-it should have a nice smooth finish. Sometimes I find that I have to add quite a bit more flour--sometimes 1/2 cup or more.). Shape into ball; place in greased large bowl; cover; let rise until doubled, about 1 hour. Once it has risen, punch down dough.


3. On a cutting board (or other "cutting-friendly" surface), form the dough into a rounded mound, and with a large knife, cut into 8 equal slices-just like you're cutting slices of pizza. Form each section into a ball, set aside and cover for another 10-15 minutes.


4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a large cookie sheet. (I use aluminum foil on the cookie sheet for easy cleanup and spread a little bit of olive or grapeseed oil over the surface of the foil.)

5. On the same cutting board (or other surface) you used in step 3, shape one ball of dough at a time into a 6-8 inch circle. Use your fingers for better control, since you want to strive for a circle-not a "funky" oblong. =) Once your circle is formed, begin by spreading pizza sauce on the dough, making sure to avoid the outer 1/2 inch to 1 inch edge to ensure good closure. (We like Muir Glen pizza sauce.)


6. Choose your favorite pizza toppings to "stuff" inside your calzone. We like Italian chicken or turkey sausage, onions, peppers, mushrooms, black olives and jalapenos. If your kids don't like to eat their greens, you can "sneak" some in by cutting up some spinach leaves to toss into the mix. (FYI...If you don't already, you should be encouraging your child(ren) to try new things every now and then. They will never learn to like their veggies if you don't introduce some to them. Your life will be so much easier down the road, if you just put forth the "effort" now!)


7. Once you have added all the desired toppings, grab the center of the edge of dough closest to you and the center edge of dough straight across and bring them straight up to meet in the center; Pinch firmly to hold.


8. Work across one side, pinching all the way across. Once one side is completely closed, very carefully pick up the entire calzone, making sure to replace any toppings that may fall out. With the open end facing up, carefully push any excess toppings towards the closed side to make it easier to close the rest of the calzone. (We usually over stuff ours.) =) I also try to fold over the pinched edges to try to prevent it from splitting open and leaking while cooking. It also gives it a little more purposeful and decorative finish. =)


9. After you have pinched it entirely closed, lay the calzone on it's side on the greased cookie sheet. "Paint" a thin layer of olive oil across the top surface and sprinkle with sesame seeds and garlic herb seasoning. Bake for 30 minutes or until it just starts to brown.


10. Enjoy! Look how yummy!