Calzones!

The kids have been calling "pizza, pizza, pizza" for several days. Don't get me wrong, I like pizza as much as the next guy, but my favorite part is always the crust. And the cheese. So tonight, because I will be home all day with nothing to do (besides housework, laundry, babysitting two extra kids) I am going to drag out my bread machine and make calzones.

I will start with the same crust recipe I use for pizza, 1 1/3 c warm water, 1 package yeast, 3 1/2-4 cups self rising flour, 2 T olive oil, 1 T sugar (or honey) and 2 T herbs (Italian seasoning will do, or an oregano, basil, thyme mix).

Pour the water into the bread machine, add the flour, sugar and herbs, drizzle the oil, and then the yeast. Set the machine to dough and let it do the hard work. This makes enough dough for 2 12 inch pizzas or 6-8 calzones.

While the dough is working, prepare your fillings. My kids like mozzarella cheese, pepperoni and pineapple, Jeff likes cheese and lots of meat, I like all the veggies (and the cheese, too, of course). Sometimes I also make mine spinach and ricotta.

Divide the dough into 6 or 8 pieces, and , working on a floured surface, roll into circles, fill one side with your favorite topping, fold over and seal. Brush with garlic butter. Bake at 400 until brown, about 25 minutes. Serve with marinara on the side for dipping. Enjoy.