Hello my Foodie Friends! I hope everyone is going to celebrate Elvis Presley’s 81st birthday today! Here is a food Elvis would have loved: Calzones, an Italian filled oven pizza that is folded over to resemble a half-moon. The idea of the calzone originated in Naples, Italy and has become a favorite worldwide. The character Ben Wyatt from my daughter’s favorite show “Parks and Recreation” describes calzones as “a portable delicious meal that is in its own container. It is a whole new spin on Italian fast casual dining.” My daughter likes to describe them as “little pockets of deliciousness”. I would have to agree with both of them on this one. You can put anything you would like into a calzone; different cheeses, pepperoni, sausage, eggplant, peppers, spinach, broccoli, etc. Calzones do not have to be as heavy as most people assume they are. Vegetarians and meat lovers can unite in eating this glorious creation!
In order to make the calzones perfectly, you will need the right tool and that tool is the Calzone Press. To use the press, take your favorite pizza or pie dough and roll it onto a floured surface to about 1/8 inch thickness. Open the press and use the bottom of it to cut out a circle of dough. Transfer the dough round into form of the press and then proceed to fill one side with approximately 1 cup of your savory or sweet filling of choice. In order to create the best results, brush the outside rim of dough with water before closing and firmly press to seal the grill. This press is only to form the calzone, DO NOT place the press in the oven! Instead, pre-heat your oven or grill to 450 degrees F and place the formed calzone onto a cornmeal dusted baking stone or greased baking sheetfor approximately 20 minutes (or until golden brown). The press is dishwasher safe so the clean up should be easy so you can enjoy your Elvis Birthday party!
We haven’t tried it yet but I bet you can put one of Elvis’s favorites: “Grilled Banana and Peanut Butter” in one!
So remember my Foodie Friends that Life happens in the Kitchen” So stop in to Compliments to the Chef at 46 Marion Ave to pick up your Calzone Press and Happy 81st Birthday Elvis!
Ahhh, Thank ya, thank ya very much!
John and Paula have left the building!