Whole Wheat Calzone with Spinach and Cheese Filling

These were a big hit!  They are great to make with a kid who likes to cook- Maia had a blast rolling out the dough, scooping in the filling, helping seal the dough, etc., etc.  And after declaring she doesn't like spinach, she ate a huge portion and asked if she could have another for lunch tomorrow.

Dough (I have a few different pizza dough recipes that I love- this one is great in this recipe)

1 cup warm water

1 envelope active dry yeast

1 Tbsp honey or sugar

1 tsp salt

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (if you're used to all white flour pizza dough, try using King Arthur's White Whole Wheat Flour.  It's much more nutritious than all purpose flour, but not as dense as a traditional whole wheat flour.)

1 - 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

olive oil

1. Place the water, yeast, and honey/sugar in the bowl of a food processor.  (If you don't own a food processor, place it in a medium bowl and stir until everything dissolves.)  Process for a few seconds to combine well.

2.  Add 2 1/2 cups total flour plus the salt; process until the dough comes together in a ball and is still a little sticky.  If it seems too sticky, add additional flour as needed until a nice dough is achieved.  (If you're not using a food processor, stir in the salt and flour.  When it gets too difficult to continue stirring, knead the dough for 5 - 10 mins.)

3.  Oil a medium bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn over once to coat the outside of the dough in oil.  Cover the bowl with a damp towel or plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm area until it has doubled.  While the dough rises, prep the filling.

Spinach and Cheese Filling

1 Tbsp olive oil

1/2 medium onion, minced

1 lb spinach, stems removed, minced

1/2 tsp salt

pepper to taste

2 -3 garlic cloves, minced or pressed

1 Tbsp dried basil (3 Tbsp fresh basil may also be used, be sure to mince)

1 lb part skim ricotta cheese

2 cups grated mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

1.  Heat the oil in a skillet; add the onion and cook over medium heat until translucent.

2.  Add spinach, salt and pepper; cook over high heat, stirring often, until spinach wilts (3 - 4 mins).  Add garlic and basil, and cook for 2 - 3 more mins.

3.  Mix the cheeses together in a medium bowl.  Add the spinach and mix well.

Calzones

1.  Preheat the oven to 450.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or coat it in oil.

2.  Divide the dough into six equal pieces; roll each piece out into a circle.

3.  Scoop 1/2 cup filling onto half of the circle, leaving a 1/2 inch border.  Use a pastry brush or your finger to moisten the border, then fold the empty dough over the filling, pinching it together to form a seal.  Crimp the edge with a fork, then prick little holes on top.

4.  Bake for 15 - 20 mins, until crisp and lightly browned.