Roasted Tomato and Grilled Chicken Calzones

Roasted Tomato and Grilled Chicken Calzones

After classes yesterday, I picked the kids up from drama club and came home to the amazing scent of these outstanding calzones being pulled from the oven. Spouse had decided to make them to make good use of some of my favorite roasted tomato jam that I had made on the weekend. I think the roasted tomato jam instead of a pizza type sauce is one of the keys to the fantastic flavor of these calzones. Other quality ingredients like whole fresh oregano leaves and good kalamata olives add great layers of flavor too.

I have to confess that even though we had these for supper  last night, I am craving them again this morning...they were that good!

Calzone Dough: MAKES ENOUGH FOR 6-8 Calzones

3-4 cups all purpose flour
1 packet instant yeast
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 ¼ cups lukewarm water
½ tsp sea salt

Mix dry ingredients together except for one cup of the flour. Add the warm water and mix very well with a wooden spoon for about 5 minutes. Add the remaining flour a little at a time until dough forms. Remove to a floured breadboard or your counter top and knead for an additional 5 minutes. Allow dough to rest for ½ hour, covered in a warm place. Knead again for 5 minutes and split dough into 6-8 portions and allow to rest for 20 minutes before rolling your dough into the desired size; about 10 inch circles for calzones.

I often make the dough the day before, brush the individual portions with olive oil and store in a covered container overnight. I use this dough straight from the fridge with no problems.

Roasted Tomato Jam

6 medium vine ripened tomatoes diced
2 cloves minced garlic
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon brown sugar

Toss together in a shallow baking dish and bake at 350 degrees F for about an hour stirring occasionally until most of the liquid has reduced off the tomatoes are the consistency of jam.

Calzone fillings:

Grilled chicken slices
Sautéed red onions
Red pepper
Black olives
Parmesan, mozzarella and cheddar cheeses
Crisp cooked bacon

Preheat your pizza stone in middle rack of your oven for half an hour at 425 degrees F.

Stretch or roll your calzone dough into 10 inch rounds and place on a wooden peel that has been sprinkled with cornmeal. The cornmeal will allow the calzone to slide off the peel (I’ve even used a thin piece of cardboard in a pinch if you do not have a peel.) Make sure your dough round is sliding on the cornmeal base before adding your toppings. Spread roasted tomato jam over half the round leaving a 1 inch border. Top the sauce with the other filling ingredients, ending with the cheese and fold the dough over the filling. Pinch the edges together by folding the bottom layer of dough slightly over the top crust and pressing to seal. Brush the tops of the calzones lightly with a simple egg wash of 1 egg whisked with 2 tbsp water.

Shake your peel to make sure the calzone is not stuck. Slide the calzone onto the hot stone, shaking it slightly in a back and forth motion as you slowly retract the wooden peel. Bake for about 15 minutes or until top crust is evenly brown. Cooking times will vary depending upon your oven. Bottom and top should be nicely browned. Allow calzone to sit for 5 minutes before cutting and serving.