Italian cuisine is simple and a number of dishes having only four to eight ingredients.  They rely mostly on the quality of ingredients rather than elaborate preparation. This cuisine today is probably one of the most popular in the world.

Prep Time : 1.30-2 hour

Cook time : 41-50 minutes

Serve : 4

Ingredients

Refined flour (maida) 1 1/4 cups

Tomato concasse 1/2 cup

Fresh yeast 10 grams

Sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons

Salt to taste

Olive oil 3 tablespoons

Onions chopped 2 medium

Garlic crushed 4 cloves

Tomato puree 2 tablespoons

Dried mixed herbs 1/2 teaspoon

Crushed red chillies 1/2 teaspoon

Jalapeno chopped 1

Green capsicum 1/2 inch pieces 1 medium

Mozzarella cheese as required

Butter 50 grams

Method

Take flour in a bowl. Heat a little water. Take the fresh yeast in a bowl, add the hot water and mix. Add this mixture to the flour.

Add one teaspoon sugar and salt. Add a little water from time to time till all the ingredients are well mixed and form a dough. Add one tablespoon of olive oil and mix.

Put the dough into a bowl, cover with a damp cloth and set aside to rise and double its volume. Knock back the dough, cover with the damp cloth again and set aside to rise once more.

Preheat oven to 180 °C/350 °F. Heat the remaining oil in a pan, add the onions and sauté. Add garlic and stir. Add tomatoes and continue to sauté. Add tomato puree and let it cook.

Add mixed herbs, crushed red chillies, salt and jalapeno, stir and cook. Add green capsicum and continue to cook. Add the remaining sugar and cook till the mixture is almost dry. Set aside to cool.

Roll out the dough into four inch round discs. Spread the cooked mixture over, leaving half inch space all around. Grate mozzarella cheese over and fold the discs to form half moon shape.

Seal the edges by pressing with a fork. Place these calzones on a greased baking tray. Brush with a little butter and bake in the preheated oven for about forty five minutes.

Cut into halves and serve hot.

Also Read: Recipes with Left Over Dal

BY M. DIVYA SRI