Mini Antipasto Calzones Recipes

MINI CALZONES

Steps:

• Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F. Sprinkle a baking sheet with the semolina and set aside.
• Lightly flour a work surface and roll the dough into a round that is about 12 inches wide and 1/2 inch thick. Cut out 8 rounds with a 3 1/2- to 4-inch biscuit cutter or drinking glass. Dust with flour and cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap.
• Beat the egg with 1 tablespoon water in a small bowl. Set aside.
• Combine the cheese blend, ricotta, 1/4 cup Parmesan, scallions and garlic powder in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Place 3 slices of the pepperoni on one half of each round of dough, leaving a 1/4-inch border around the edges. Top each round with 2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture.
• Brush the egg wash around the edges of one dough round using your finger or a pastry brush. Gently fold the dough over the filling to enclose and crimp the edges with a fork to seal. Repeat with the remaining dough rounds.
• Brush the tops of the calzones with the egg wash and sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan.
• Place the calzones on the prepared baking sheet and bake on the middle rack until golden, 14 to 16 minutes, rotating the sheet halfway through for even baking.
• While the calzones bake, heat the tomato sauce in a medium saucepan over medium heat until bubbling, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl. Place the calzones on a platter with the sauce and serve immediately.

MINI SHRIMP CALZONES

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a heavy large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant and tender, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, thyme, parsley, and wine. Increase the heat to medium and simmer until most of the liquid evaporates, about 8 minutes. In a small bowl, season the shrimp with salt and pepper. Add the shrimp to the skillet and saute until just cooked through, about 2 minutes. Set aside to cool in a small bowl.
• Position 1 oven rack in the center and the second rack on the bottom of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F.
• Line 2 heavy large baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll out each piece of pizza dough into a 7-inch-diameter floured round. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella over the lower half of each pizza dough, dividing equally and leaving a 1-inch border. Spoon the shrimp mixture over the cheese. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the shrimp mixture. Brush the edge of the dough with egg wash. Fold the plain dough halves over the filling, forming half circles. Pinch the edges of dough firmly together and crimp to seal.
• Transfer the calzones to the 2 prepared sheets. Bake until the calzones puff and become golden brown, about 12 to 15 minutes. Brush extra-virgin olive oil over calzones and serve.
• Mix the warm water and yeast in a small bowl to blend. Let stand until the yeast dissolves, about 5 minutes. Mix the flour and salt in a food processor to blend. Blend in the oil. With the machine running, add the yeast mixture and blend just until the dough forms. Turn the dough out onto lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, about 1 minute. Transfer the dough to a large oiled bowl and turn the dough to coat with the oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm draft-free area until the dough doubles in volume, about 1 hour. Punch the down dough and form into ball. The dough can be used immediately or stored airtight in the refrigerator for 1 day.
• Yield: 1 (16-ounce) ball of pizza dough
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Inactive Prep Time: 1 hour

MINI ANTIPASTO CALZONES

Steps:

• Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the dough ball into a 14-inch circle, about 1/4-inch thick. Using a 4-inch round cutter, cut the dough into 12 circles. Transfer the circles onto two heavy baking sheets dusted with cornmeal.
• In a medium bowl, combine the fontina, provolone, salami, peppers and olives. In a separate small bowl, beat together the egg and 1 teaspoon water. Place 1 tablespoon of the cheese mixture onto 1 half of each dough circle, leaving a 1/4-inch border at the edge. With a pastry brush, lightly brush the edges of the dough with the beaten egg. Fold the unfilled half of the dough over the filling and, using the tines of a fork, press the edges together to seal. Repeat with the remaining circles of dough.
• Brush the calzones with the remaining egg mixture. Bake for 14 minutes, rotating the baking sheets halfway through, or until the calzones are golden brown. Serve the calzones on a platter with warm marinara sauce for dipping.

MINI CALZONES

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a medium-size, heavy skillet. Add the sausage and cook until crumbled and golden, about 5 minutes. Add the arugula and cook until wilted. Turn off the heat and let cool for about 10 minutes. Add the cream cheese, 1/3 cup of the Parmesan, the salt, and the pepper and stir to combine. Set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface to a thin 20 by 12-inch rectangle. Cut the rectangle in half lengthwise, then cut each half into 8 equal rectangles.
• Spoon some of the topping onto 1 side of each rectangle. Using a pastry brush, brush the edges of the rectangle with egg wash. Close the rectangle of pizza dough over the topping. Use a fork to seal and crimp the edges. Place the calzones on the prepared baking sheet and brush the top of each with egg wash. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan. Bake until golden, 15 to 17 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the marinara sauce over low heat in a medium saucepan. Serve the hot calzones with the marinara sauce alongside for dipping.

MINI ANTIPASTO PIZZAS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F and line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Spray the parchment with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
• Prep all your toppings by cutting everything into small bite-size pieces.
• On a lightly floured surface, divide the dough into 4 pieces, then divide each piece into 4; you should end up with 16 pieces of dough. Spray your hands with nonstick cooking spray if the dough is sticking. Working one at a time, begin to stretch and flatten the dough with your hands, adding flour as needed to prevent sticking. Transfer it to the baking sheet and continue to stretch the dough until it's about 4 inches in diameter. Continue the process with the remaining pizza dough, placing 8 rounds on each baking sheet.
• Start with a spoonful of the sauce of your choice, spreading into a thin layer. Top your pizzas as desired, being sure to not load the pizza with too many toppings or it will not cook evenly.
• Bake until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the pizzas from the oven and top with fresh toppings and a light drizzle of olive oil. Transfer the pizzas to a platter and serve.