Homemade Calzones are wicked easy to make and absolutely delicious. Once you learn to make your own you will never order out again!
Today we're taking a break from all the Christmas celebrations to discuss an odd group of friends, a strange pole and a 'show about nothing.' And by now, all you Seinfeld fans are smiling.
It's been 15 years since the TV series left the air but it's still very much around in syndication, popular culture and a little made-up holiday called Festivus.
Celebrated with a bare pole and an airing of grievances, it's a time to come together and say "I got a lot of problems with you people!"
It's all in good fun, of course, and in its 9 seasons, quite a lot of delicious food came up on the show.
So some of my blogger friends and I decided to cook the foods best associated with the Seinfeld years and give away some great holiday gifts.
If you're unfamiliar with Seinfeld (wtf?) here's some links to get you up to speed:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
I chose to celebrate with "The Calzone". It's one of my all time favourite episodes.
We're huge pizza lovers in our house. We make something called a panzerotti which is similar to a calzone.
We deep fry ours though. I've already posted our favourite panzerotti recipe with step by step instructions so if you need help figuring out how to seal the dough head over to that post and my daughter will teach you how to seal them perfectly.
She worked in a pizza joint for years so she is far superior to making these things than I am. She helped me adapt our recipe into a calzone. Worked out beautifully.
Now the 1st and 2nd photo in this post I drizzled olive oil over the calzone prior to cooking, brushing it on evenly so it would crisp up more.
The 3rd photo, below, I didn't drizzle it with olive oil. It looks like a more traditional calzone to me but I really liked the ones I coated in olive oil much better.
So just make that judgement call when making them. It's a personal decision based on how you like your dough.
Now for any die-hard Seinfeld fans you will know that George was eating an eggplant calzone during the episode where Steinbrenner makes him a deal to bring them to him every day for lunch.
We do not like eggplant here so we made Italian Sausage and Peppers Calzones instead. I really hope you like them.
These calzones are amazing. We're huge pizza people here, we can't get enough of it.
We probably eat pizza 2 or 3 nights a week. We are always trying to come up with fun ways to make it.
Other Kick Ass Pizza Recipes:
- Pizza Bites
- PanzerottiÂ
- Deep Dish Pizza
- Antipasto Pizza
- Grilled Pizza
- Candied Bacon and Candied Tomato Pizza
- Vidalia Onion Pizza
- Wild Rice Pizza
- Cauliflower Pizza
- Rice Crust Pizza
- Cookie Pizza
- Cherry Cobbler Pizza
Recipes for Dough and Sauce:
As you can see, I'm a serious pizza fanatic! I'm absolutely bonkers for pizza!
Seriously, it's an addiction at this point. So needless to say when we were all talking about the Festivus idea I knew I had to do the calzone. It just made perfect sense.
If you're a Seinfeld fan I would love for you to list your grievances for me. It's such a big part of Festivus.
Here is mine:
- People who rush to turn into traffic then drive at a snail's pace. I want to bump your little car with my truck and flip you the bird. No lie.
- People who stand too close to me in a check out line. I want to turn around and kick you in the shins. No lie.
- People who chew gum like they're chewing their cud. I mean seriously, close your mouth before I do it for you. No lie.
- People who whistle. You bug the ever-loving crap out of me. Unless you're hailing a cab I'm going to want you to shut your piehole. No lie.
- People who make lists. It's so bloody pretentious. No lie.
Make sure you stop by all the wonderful bloggers who are celebrating Festivus:
- Susan from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen is making Marble Rye from "The Rye"
- Renee from Magnolia Days is making Eggnog Frozen Yogurt from "The Non-Fat Yogurt"
- Isabelle from Crumb is making Cherry Almond Muffin Tops from "The Muffin Tops"
- Liz from That Skinny Chick Can Bake is making Challah Pretzels from "The Alternate Side"
- Shanna from Pineapple and Coconut is making Lobster Scrambled Eggs with Wasabi Hollandaise and Crispy Leek and Potato Cakes from "The Hamptons"
- Kelli from Kelli's Retro Kitchen Arts is making a Big Salad from "The Big Salad"
- Kelly from Kelly Bakes is making Mulligatawny Soup from "The Soup Nazi"
- Joan from Chocolate, Chocolate and More is making Cream Puffs from "The Gymnast"
- Marnely from Cooking with Books is making Apple Pie from "The Pie"
- Diane from Created by Diane is making Black and White Cookies from "The Dinner Party"
- Anita from Hungry Couple is making Chocolate Babka from "The Dinner Party"
Be sure to celebrate Festivus on December 23. Air your grievances, show your feats of strength, and above all else hope for a Festivus Miracle.
Make some calzones. You'll thank me later.
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Calzones
Ingredients
- 2 pizza dough, homemade or store bought
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1 lb Italian Sausage, cooked
- 4 bell peppers, chopped
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese
- 1 tsp olive oil, for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
- Line two cookies sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Lightly flour your work space. You want just a small amount of bench flour, just enough to keep if from sticking to the counter but not so much it makes you dough tough.
- Divide each round of dough into two. Roll out into a circle, do not roll too thinly otherwise your dough will break when moving it around. Roll the rest out as well.
- Now before you start adding stuff to each round you need to remember not to over-stuff them. You need to be able to fold each one over to make a half moon shape and have enough edge to seal them. So keep that in mind while stuffing them.
- Scoop a couple of tablespoons of sauce into each round.
- Add about 1 to 2 tablespoons of cooked Italian Sausage to each round.
- Add about 1 to 2 tablespoons of peppers to each round.
- Now top each with a good amount of cheese.
- Fold the dough over so each one forms a half moon shape.
- Now press down in the middle a bit to get rid of any air pockets. Then start to seal your edges with your fingers. Just keep folding and pressing the dough till you have a nice rim. Now give the middle one last press then double check your seal again. Now take a pizza cutter and cut off the excess so you have a nice smooth line in the shape of a half moon. Cutting it this way also ensures the seal is fabulous. That's a mini-me trick.
- Carefully transfer each calzone to the cookie sheets.
- Now here's where you get to pick whether you want them brushed with olive oil or not. I say go for it. I like the dough so much better when they are brushed with it. But no sweat if you like yours without. Cooking, and eating for that matter are all about personal taste. This is a judgement free zone.
- Pop them in the oven and cook for about 10 to 14 minutes.
- Serve with a big old Seinfeld smile!
Notes
Nutrition
Thanks for visiting today!
Check out my recipe index for more amazing recipes. You can find more dessert recipes and tons of snack recipes.
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Toodles! xx
Liz
I am drooling!!! That last photo looks like it's just for me...so please pass it through the computer. I need breakfast!!! xx
Kim Beaulieu
Ha, we must go for calzones next time we go to a conference. So good. They'd be perfect for breakfast, or lunch, or dinner, or snacking, or grazing, or munching, well, you get the picture.
Renee
I haven't had a calzone in ages and I think it is time to remedy that situation soon. Happy Festivus!
Kim Beaulieu
You must remedy that immediately. Like right now.
Donna Jones
I just hate the comercialized way they have turned Christmas . Most people couldn't even tell you what we're celebrating ! No Lie
Kim Beaulieu
That's so true. For us it's all about family time. My son flew in last night for 10 days and I'm positively dripping with happiness. It's annoying. No lie.
Good luck. xx
Anita at Hungry Couple
My grievance is with people who make calzones and don't send me any. Heads off to see if there's any yeast in the house...
Kim Beaulieu
Ha, I'm such a horrible friend. Tell ya what, when I visit you in the spring let's go get us some of these bad boys. And by some I mean #allthecalzonesintheworld
Shanna@ pineapple and coconut
Love these calzones and love your grievances!!! Thank you so much for doing this with me. My crazy idea turned into the best group post ever. Its a Festivus Miracle!!!!
Kim Beaulieu
I am so glad you did this Shanna. Put me down for next year and make sure I plan my son's visit better so I can immerse myself more in it. I'm down for helping plan it next year if you want help. You did an amazing job this year and I'm thrilled to be part of such a fun event.
Happy Festivus.
The Mom Chef ~ Taking on Magazines One Recipe at a Time
You crack me up. Not a fan of Seinfeld but I do love me some calzones, especially if they're stuffed with sausage. My list is too long to mention, but yours is a good start.
Kim Beaulieu
Thanks. And seriously> not a fan> I'm worried about you now> seriously.
Okay I'm not but mostly because you redeemed yourself by liking sausage as much as me.
I had to do some seriously editing on my list. Every one started with a F, so I regrouped and cleaned it up. *bah hahaha*
Kim - Liv Life
Love, love, LOVE all things Seinfeld!! My kids were a little show to enjoy the show, but now that my son is almost 18 he is "getting' it and is aware of how much influence the show had on our world, phrases, etc.
I haven't made calzones in forever!! This will be a good Christmas Break project!!
Kim Beaulieu
It's so true. So many things I say or reference are "Seinfeld-isms".
You MUST make some. I know you usually eat healthy but deep fry this bad boy, then it's a panzerotti and omg you will freak out. It's a Canadian thing, really popular here in Southern Ontario. I make a kick ass panzerotti.
Linda K.
I really hate contests when I don't win! Ha ha.
Kim Beaulieu
I am literally on the floor laughing. Best grievance ever! I love when my readers are as snarky as I am. That was freaking hilarious.xx
Linda K.
Glad to make you laugh! 🙂
Jacki
Will have to give this a try. Looks fabulous.
Kim Beaulieu
You must.
Susan
Dude, I love calzones and I haven't made some in ages. I'm like you, I always pour some olive oil over the top for a golden brown crust. I also like mine with some sausages and peppers. There are no grievances to be aired here!
Kim Beaulieu
You must make some now Susan. I love olive oil on mine. It just makes such a difference. Quite honestly my fave way to do this kind of thing is to deep fry it. But I was trying to keep it "calzone" and not "panzerotti".
Ha, I love airing grievances. Does a body good.
Tara
I love homemade calzones and yours looks fabulous. Happy Festivus!!!
Kim Beaulieu
Thanks Tara. Happy Festivus. Hope you are enjoying your time off.
Kayle (The Cooking Actress)
I've never watched a full episode of Seinfeld, it's not my fave. HOWEVER I luuuurve calzones and this is a gorgeous specimen right here! mmmmmm
Kim Beaulieu
Dude, that's just wrong. You must watch it. Seriously, once you watch a couple you'll be hooked. But you have to invest the full 30 minutes. The whole basis is how they take all these seemingly pointless and unrelated things and tie them all together in the end. It's brilliant.
You need to make calzones too. It's a must. Like now.
EllenCF
I never win prizes .. BUT I do love your blog!!!!!!! And even if I don't win I will remain faithful and follow you!
Kim Beaulieu
May the odds be ever in your favour.
*okay it was cheesy but how many times can you say that in life*
Keep on entering, sooner or later you will win one. I've got oodles more planned.
Thanks for being faithful. I love my readers.
Kristen M
My grievance is with people who finished their Christmas shopping in June. What's the fun of that!
Kim Beaulieu
Ha, when the kids were small I would be done by April. Now I look back and I want to punch the old me in the throat a little bit.
Pauline Gudas
M<y grienance is that people are rude in this joyous season
Kim Beaulieu
I saw someone being really rude at the store the other day. Like the cashiers have any control over how many people are in line. People are cray cray.
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
Love the pictures, they all turned out great!
Kim Beaulieu
Thanks Erin. xx
Jami Robinson
One of my pet peeves (there are many) at the grocery store the people who park their carts sideways in the aisle, so no way to pass and then suddenly are blind to everyone else in that aisle!
Kim Beaulieu
Omg someone did that to me on both sides the other day. I wanted to turn the store into a cartoon and drop an anvil on both their carts. So rude.
Heather
Air a Grievance: People too lazy to put their carts in the cart corral!
Kim Beaulieu
Amen sistah! I walked mine all the way across the lot, in the rain the other day. It's called being responsible people. Ugh.
Kelli's Kitchen
We must have been separated at birth! Lists - pfsst! personal space - yes!
We love pizza here too and a calzone sounds wonderful right now - YUM! Thanks so much for doing this project, I always learn so much from all you - which is priceless to me.
Kim Beaulieu
What is with people right. I had a gal at Walmart be REALLY pushy the other day. I was trying to look at rugs and she was being obnoxious, so I let her scoot in and she went on and on to her friend about this one rug, the last one of it's kind in the store, then she said okay let's go grab the other stuff and come back for it. She started to walk away, I smiled sweetly, picked up the rug and popped it in my cart and walked away whistling we wish you a merry christmas. True story. What she doesn't know is I was there for that exact rug, I bought the match to it at their other location the night before and needed one more to make the room balanced. So she thought I was just being a huge B for no reason, so freaking funny how that worked out. Karma lady, push me and I'll buy your rug. Ha.
I love calzones. I'm so glad we did this event together. Cheers to many more.
John@Kitchen Riffs
I think I'm one of the few people of my age group who has never seen an entire episode of Seinfeld - when it was on, i was always too busy to watch much, if any TV. (I say entire episode because I know I've seen a few bits and pieces of shows, but never more than a minute or two.) But I do like the idea of airing my grievances! And mine is licking my screen just doesn't do this calzone justice! I want to have it in my hands, and then in my belly. 😉 Really nice - thanks.