Sarasotas Simple Pesto Shrimp Calzones Recipes

EASY PESTO SHRIMP

Steps:

• If necessary, thaw the shrimp.
• Pat the shrimp dry.
• In a large skillet, heat the olive oil on medium high heat. Add the shrimp and salt. Cook the shrimp for 1 to 2 minutes per side until almost opaque, turning them with tongs.
• Just before shrimp are fully cooked, add the 1/4 cup pesto and continue cooking for 30 seconds, stirring continuously.
• Serve immediately. If using storebought pesto, adjust lemon and or salt accordingly.

SHRIMP CALZONES

Steps:

• roll pizza crust into 18 x 10 inch rectangle.
• cut into 6 (6x5 inch) retangles.
• Combine tomato paste, water,and Italian seasoning.
• Spread evenly over retangles, leaving a 1/2 inch border.
• Arrange shrimp evenly over half of eaach rectangle.
• Brush edges of rectangles with water.
• Fold rectangles in half crosswise over shrimp, press edges together with a fork.
• Place calzones on a large baking sheet coated with cooking spray.
• Coat tops with cooking spray, and sprinkle evenly with parmesan cheese.
• Bake at 400 degrees for 18 minutes or until lightly browned.

SARASOTA'S SIMPLE PESTO SHRIMP CALZONES

Steps:

• Shrimp -- In a medium size saute pan, add the butter and bring to medium heat. Add in the onion and garlic and cook 2-3 minutes until tender but not soft. NOTE: At this point if you decide to add any other ingredients, such as peppers, mushrooms or olives, you can add them too. Saute 2-3 minutes until tender. Then add in the shrimp (seasoned with salt and pepper) and cook 1-2 minutes, as they will continue to cook in the calzone - I actually under cook the shrimp so they don't get tough. Immediately remove from the heat and transfer to a plate to cool.
• Filling -- Once the shrimp have cooled a couple of minutes, add to a medium size bowl along with the pesto, fontina, and mozzarella and lightly toss to combine.
• Pizza Dough -- Cut the dough into 4 equal pieces and then roll into a 8-9" circles. I like to bake mine on either a pizza stone, or either a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and sprayed with a non-stick spray. Makes for an easy clean up.
• Lay your 4 pizza circles on the baking sheet or whatever you choose to use, and then add the shrimp filling on the crust, a little to the right or left of center. Then fold over the crust to make a half moon and to cover all the filling.
• Wet the edge of the pizza crust with a little water. I just use my finger and then press the top and bottom together. Now, you can use your fork or you can use your finger to press the edges together. I just squeeze them and make a little "Pie Crust" like technique. It doesn't have to be fancy. Just as long as the top and bottom is pressed together and sealed well.
• Brush the calzones with olive oil and sprinkle the parmesan cheese over the top. Make 3-4 thin cuts with a knife in the calzone so the steam can escape and the calzone can puff up and get golden brown.
• Bake -- Oven, middle shelf to 400 degrees. Bake for 25-35 minutes until golden brown. Make sure to let them cool about 5 minutes before serving.
• Marinara -- Simply heat some marinara in the microwave or stove top and serve with the calzones.
• Serve -- A nice crisp salad is all you need. Enjoy!

SARASOTA'S MINI BEEF CALZONES

Steps:

• Meat -- If you have left over meat, don't worry. If not, make sure to saute it ahead of time. Just use a little olive oil in a pan to saute on medium heat until done and then set to the side to drain and cool.
• Vegetables -- if you cooked your meat in that pan you may have a little oil left to saute your vegetables, if not -- add a little olive oil to cook your vegetables. Add them and saute 4-5 minutes until soft. Remember they won't cook much in the oven and you want most of the water cooked out of them. They also should be set to the side, drained and cooled. You don't want extra water in the calzone to make it soggy.
• Crust -- Just roll out your pizza dough. Pillsbury comes in a rectangle so roll out as flat as you can make it. Add a little flour to your counter top or cutting board so the dough doesn't stick. I like ro roll out with a rolling pin to get in even and spread out. It should be about 13x9, each can or 14 oz of dough. Then with a 6" bowl right from your kitchen cabinet -- press down on the crust to make as many calzones as possible. This recipe will make right about 8 for both rolls. Any left over crust, just add all together and press down again to maybe get one more calzone.
• Stuffing -- Add some of the cooled meat, then the vegetables and cheese. Now put a little water on your finger and moisten 1/2 the edge of each circle. Then fold the circle over to make a half circle. The water will just make it stick together good. Press together well to seal and then use a fork to press the edges down even more and make a nice decorative edge.
• Bake -- Brush a little olive oil if you want on the calzones to make a crisp crust (optional). Transfer the calzones to a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or foil and bake at 450 for about 15 minutes until golden brown. One batch I made took 20 the other 15 so, just keep an eye of them. Serve with a good Marinara.
• And remember, any mix of fillings, broccoli, ham, cheese; bacon, cheddar and onion; or chicken, spinach and mozzarella. Just think what is left in your fridge. Six dollars for pizza dough and marinara and you can make a great use of leftovers and with some soup in your freezer, you have a whole new dinner.

TURKEY, PESTO AND VEGGIE CALZONES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Remove and finely chop the mushroom stems. Cut the mushroom caps into 1/3-inch-thick slices.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and swirl to coat the pan. When the oil is shimmering, add the mushroom stems and caps, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until the mushrooms have released some of their liquid and start to brown, about 3 minutes.
• Stir in the broccoli and an additional 1/4 teaspoon of salt and pinch of black pepper. Cook until the broccoli is bright green and starts to soften, about 2 minutes. Turn off the heat, transfer the mixture to a large bowl and cool to room temperature.
• When the mixture has cooled, add the mozzarella, turkey, ricotta and pesto. Use a rubber spatula to fold everything together until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
• Divide the dough into two equal portions and form each into a ball. Working with one ball at a time, roll and stretch the dough into a 13-inch round; dust with flour as needed to prevent sticking. Transfer the round to a prepared baking sheet. Spoon half of the filling onto one half of the dough round, leaving a 1-inch border. Use the parchment paper to help fold the other half up and over to enclose the filling, gently pressing out as much air as possible. Seal the edges by stretching the bottom edge of dough up and over the top edge and crimping the edges with your thumb to seal. Repeat with the remaining dough, filling and second prepared baking sheet.
• Cut 2 small slits on the top of each calzone with a sharp knife so steam can escape. Brush each calzone with a little bit of olive oil. Bake until the crust is golden brown and you can see the filling bubbling through the vent slits, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Cut the calzones into pieces and serve immediately.

SARASOTA'S SIMPLE EAGLE BRAND FUDGE

Steps:

• Fudge -- First, line a 8x8" pan with either wax paper, parchment paper or foil (bottom and the sides). I happen to prefer parchment paper if possible.
• Microwave -- Add the Eagle Brand, flavored morsels on medium heat in the microwave for 3-6 minutes (the size bowl and your microwave can affect the cooking times). Half way through I stir and then continue cooking until creamy and smooth.
• Flavor -- Remove from the microwave and add in the flavoring and any other additions such as nuts or dried fruits, etc. Anything you want. Stir to combine.
• Add to your pan. At this point you can add some additional nuts or toppings it you want. Cover with plastic and cool in the refrigerator about 1 hour. Remove from the pan by just turning it over, it will come right out, pull off the foil, parchment paper or wax paper, and cut into squares. You can let it cool right on the counter, but I like to chill mine before cutting, it just makes it a bit easier.
• Favorites -- 1) Dark chocolate, vanilla flavor, walnuts; 2) White chocolate, amaretto flavor, almonds; 3) A layer of milk chocolate (1/2 recipe), vanilla flavor, a layer of peanut butter fudge (1/2 recipe) with 1/2 cup strawberry preserves and peanuts; 4) Milk chocolate, vanilla flavor, marshmallow cream, peanuts; 5) White chocolate, almond flavor, dried cherries; 6) Milk chocolate, peppermint flavor, mint chocolate cookies, walnuts; 7) Butterscotch, vanilla flavor, pecans; 8) White chocolate, mint flavor, candy cane pieces; 9) Mint chocolate, hazelnut flavor, white morsels to swirl in, hazelnuts; 10) White chocolate, almond flavor, PayDay candy bar crunched up; 11) White chocolate, rapsberry liquor, raspberry preserves, walnuts; 12) Dark chocolate, orange preserves, amaretto flavor, pecans.
• You get the idea. HAVE FUN!