Calzones and a Few Spring Blooms

Tonight I had a request to make Calzones. I wasn't surprised because I had tried them a while back and they were so good I figured they would become part of the dinner repertoire around here. When I made them the first time I was a bit intimidated looking for dough recipes because there are so many out there. When that happens I find the best thing to do is to refer to a trusted cookbook for a recipe and then tweak from there.

My sister Cindy gave me the Better Homes and Garden New Cook Book when I got my first apartment in college and I turn to it in cases like this. Their dough recipe is pretty straightforward and I'd recommend it for anyone wanting to try their hand at pizza or something like calzones. It seems pretty forgiving. It might not be quite as chewy as delivery pizza, but still really good. The filling for these can really be whatever you have on hand. Even leftovers stuffed in dough would be great.

Calzones
Adapted from Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook



Filling Ingredients:

Pepperoni (about half of one of those pillow packs), chopped into small pieces
Salami (I used about 4 ounces of a pre-sliced, but hard salami would be great too), chopped into small pieces
1 bell pepper, chopped
1/2 onion chopped
Spaghetti Sauce (use your favorite jarred or homemade) about a cup
Mozzarella Cheese - about 1 1/2 cups
Parmesan Cheese for sprinkling

Combine meats, onions & bell peppers and saute for a few minutes until onions begin to soften. Add Sauce and cook for a couple of minutes more to warm but no need to get super hot. Remove from heat.

Dough Ingredients:

3 cups flour
1 packet yeast
1 tsp salt
1 cup warm water
2 Tablespoons oil
1 egg


Preheat oven to 425°. In a large mixer bowl combine 1 1/4 cup flower, yeast and salt. Stir in warm water and oil. Beat at low speed with a mixer for a 1/2 minute, scraping bowl constantly. Beat 3 minutes at high speed then stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can mix in with a spoon. Either knead with a dough hook if your mixer has it or turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead in enough of the remaining flour to make a stiff dough that is smooth and elastic (6 to 8 minutes). Cover dough and let rest for at least 10 minutes (I let mine go about 30 mins) Punch down lightly, let sit for a minute then divide into 6 equal pieces.

Working with one piece of dough at a time roll out to about 6 inches, put 1/6 of meat mixture on one side of dough about 1/4 cup of mozzarella and a sprinkle of parmesan. Wet the edges of the dough slightly, fold over one side and crimp edges to seal. Place on a greased or lined pan or a baking stone. Repeat with the remainder of the dough & filling. Let Calzones rest for about 10 minutes, brush tops and edges with beaten egg. Put three small slashes in each to allow steam to escape. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until nicely golden brown. Serve with a nice salad and you have a meal.



Spring is slow to arrive here although I know much of the rest of the country has almost skipped to summer! There are a few things happening though. Here's an early spring mini tour, starting with my first daffodil to open.


The primroses never fail to open! Love their bright cheery faces.


The hellebores or Lenten Roses are pretty right now too.



These little anemones come up from little tubers every year.


This is a tiny little spring bloomer called Hepatica


More primroses!


And a darker Hellebore


We've been awfully rainy, but I walked around today and saw even more things on the verge of bloom. Looks like its going to be a good lilac and clematis year!

You Can't Fool Mother Nature...or Can you?

We've had some crazy cold snowy and rainy weather lately. So when we had a couple of sunny days I was feeling a little cooped up watching it from my office window, so I decided to use my lunch break to maximize the sunshine. It was still pretty chilly and as you can see from the trees still very much winter.


So I decided to go somewhere I knew it would feel and look just like summer. The Seymour Botanical Conservatory at Wright Park in Tacoma is a beautiful Victorian structure built in 1908 and luckily its not very far from downtown where I work


It's really an oasis in winter. Even the palm tree gives an illusion of semi tropicalness


As you step in the front door you are hit with a wonderful smell from the many orchids and a floral scene that currently screams spring.


Potted azaleas


And spring bulbs give me hope for whats to come in the next couple of months.

Aren't you ready for daffodils?


I loved this bulb too...not sure what kind it is. Maybe some kind of crinum?


The foliage in the conservatory is so lush and a perfect backdrop to all of the gorgeous orchids


There are many different varieties..I love this one


And this beauty


This begonia is pretty happy in the warm humid air


And this clivia is so pretty. I have one like this in my house, but it hasn't bloomed for us.


There are so really unique things in the conservatory including spanish moss..reminds me of home in Louisiana


Or how about these cool pitcher plants


At the end of the "path"


is a bench to rest a bit and take it all in


From this spot I admired this enormous fiddly fig


And these pretty yellow orchids...check out the scary tiger lurking in the background


After a little rest I headed back up the path into the main domed room


to see the fishies and waterfall


And to admire the cute little mushrooms


Amazingly in all of this lushness they have also created a little mini arid zone


Check out this papyrus



There is a great gift shop to visit before you leave. I love those tiny little Adirondack chairs right in front of the counter. I bought a cute plant for my desk at work and a pretty little enamel heart box.


Loved these drawings on the door to the shop


The kids are as inspired as I am! This spot in particular makes me wish I was an artist


With my lunch time coming to a close I figured it was time to head out but took the time to be jealous of the gorgeous Ponderosa lemons


Back out into the sunny but 40ish temps


Love the outside of the building too though especially up against that blue sky.


Some day I'll take you on a walk around the park itself. There are some great old trees - its great in fall. Today the Monkey Puzzle tree caught my eye...do you know it?


I think its supposed to look like a bunch of monkey tails


So......if maybe you can fool mother nature at least part of the time I wonder if you can fool a cinnamon roll lover ? This is my quickie version of cinnamon rolls. They are really cinnamon biscuits and super quick, but fun to make. I used to make these with my sister on Saturday mornings. And by the way...my cinnamon roll lover may not have been fooled but he went back for seconds :-)



Cinnamon Biscuits

1 can biscuits - the cheapest brand you can find work just fine, but something like Grands works even better
1/2 stick margarine or butter, melted
1 cup Sugar
cinnamon ( a couple of teaspoons or more depending on how cinnamony you like it)

Coat each biscuit with melted butter. Dip and roll each biscuit in cinnamon sugar. Place in a round cake pan. Drizzle tops with extra butter and cinnamon. Cook at 350° for about 15 mins or until cinnamon begins to get browner and forms a little crust. You just want to make sure the biscuits are cooked through.

Now give it a try and see if you can fool them too!


Joining in for Mosaic Monday at Little Red House & Weekend Cooking at Beth Fish Reads.

Flashback Friday ~Farmers Market Season in Review

This week's flashback is a look back at this season's Broadway Farmers Market in Tacoma. This was my last week to be able to visit it since I'll be gone next Thursday on the finale. Here's what it looked like in the Spring! Just look at those fresh green leaves :-)



Rhubarb, onions and greens were mostly all that was available veggie wise.


My favorite Crepe stand, Paprika was back! Love the crepes and the lady that runs it is so friendly and cheeful. She does catering too!


Dr. Terry was there with his pies


This may have been the day I brought Randy a piece of rhubarb


And the flowers...well they were very springy too!


As spring moved into summer I discovered the Bacon Forever booth with all of their goodies


Starring none other than...BACON! My favorite was this. Do not turn your nose up at this ladies and gentlemen. This is a seriously good apple pie...


Leaves were definitely in full summer swing


It was a busy summer so I apparently didn't have time to take many at the market! But I made a point of taking a few at yesterdays market to round out the season.


The bouquets had definitely taken on a fall flavor


How cute are these pumpkin arrangements. All you Martha Stewarts out there get hoppin' and make one of these.


Still tons of gorgeous dahlias


Veggie stands were decked on in fall gear - also known as dried corn stalks.


Sweet potatoes, concord grapes and fresh apples....mmmmm


I love to see all of the furry friends that come to the market each week.


I enjoyed my lunch (Indian shishkabobs) in this little park. I love the trompe l'oeil at the far end.


I'll miss the market in the winter months but it does give me something to look forward to! I'm so lucky to have this market just a long block from my office.

If anyone has a flashback they'd like to share please add it here.