Chicken and Spinach Alfredo Calzones

My son loved his Chicken and Spinach Alfredo Pizza for his birthday and I found that it is just as delicious as a Calzone.  My family loves Calzones.  Usually I vary the filling by request – classic pepperoni, olive and cheese, or Hawaiian.  It is a lot like pizza in that you can customize what your family likes.

 

Chicken and Spinach Alfredo Calzones

goodcookbecky

Serves 6

Dough:

• 1 cup warm water
• 1 packet rapid rise yeast
• 1 Tbsp sugar
• 2 Tbsp canola oil (plus a little additional)
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 cups flour

Filling:

• 1/2 jar purchased Alfredo sauce
• 10 oz frozen, chopped spinach, thawed and drained
• rotisserie chicken
• package Italian cheese blend
• 1 egg beaten (to brush on Calzones before baking)

Instructions:

Prepare the dough: Place 1 cup warm water in the bottom of your mixing bowl (I use my Kitchen Aid).  Add yeast and sugar.  Stir. Add 2 tablespoons of canola oil, 1 cup of flour, and 1 teaspoon of salt.  Stir until combined.  Add remaining 2 cups of flour.  Use the knead attachment and knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic.  Add about 1 teaspoon of canola oil and coat the dough ball with it.  Cover the dough with plastic wrap and then a towel and allow to rise about 30 minutes.  Divide the risen dough into 6 equal size portions.

Preheat oven to 350°F.

On a floured board roll out each individual portion of dough into about 6 to 8 inches in diameter.  Place 2 tablespoons of Alfredo sauce on one half of the dough, leaving about 1/2 inch dough along edge exposed.  Top with about a tablespoon of spinach, spreading it out over the Alfredo.  Place about 1/2 cup of shredded rotisserie chicken on top of the sauce.  Drizzle about 1 tablespoon of additional Alfredo Sauce over the chicken.  Sprinkle the top with 1/4 cup of shredded cheese.  Carefully fold the portion of dough that does not have topping over the filling and seal the edge with the exposed edge that the filling is on.  Press down gently to ensure a good seal.  Transfer the calzone to a parchment (or silicone) lined baking sheet.  Repeat with remaining dough portions.  I can fit 3 or 4 calzones on a baking sheet.  I rotate the baking sheets in the oven at the half way point to ensure even baking.  Allow the calzones to rest about 15 minutes before baking.

Just before baking, Beat the egg in a small bowl with about 2 tablespoons of water.  Brush the calzones with the egg wash with a pastry brush.  Bake for 20-25 minutes, rotating the baking pans half way through cooking.

Allow the calzones to cool about 15 minutes before consuming the filling will be very hot!

Printable Recipe

Vegetable Bounty Quinoa Salad

Tri color Quinoa by Bob’s Red Mill had this delightful salad recipe on the back of their package.  It sounded interesting enough to try.  I am finding quinoa to be something that I need to acquire a taste for.  I am not there yet, but this did have some good flavors that made it interesting.  The dressing has an Asian taste to it.  I substituted honey for sugar and increased the honey a little to give the  dressing more sweetness.  Here is my adaptation:

Vegetable Bounty Quinoa Salad

adapted from Bob’s Red Mill Tri-Color Quinoa Package

Serves 6

Dressing:

• 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 3-4 Tbsp honey
• 1/2 cup lime juice
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 Tbsp fish sauce (or soy sauce)
• 1 1/2 tsp toasted dark sesame oil
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 pinches black pepper

Salad:

• 2 – 3 cups cooked and cooled quinoa
• 1 (14 oz) can white beans (or kidney beans etc)
• 1 1/2 cups diced tomatoes
• 1 1/2 cups diced seeded cucumber
• 1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
• 1 large avocado, diced
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions:

Prepare the quinoa according to package directions and cool.

Prepare the dressing, coming the dressing ingredients in a bowl and whisk to combine.  Adjust the honey to your personal preference.

Combine the salad ingredients and pour the dressing over the salad.  Serve cold or at room temperature.

Printable Recipe