Saturday Morning Muffins: Thinking

Since my last post, I've been thinking about what I want to focus on for a while; regarding my blog, that is.

I've decided that since my precious friend, Erin Day, (who, by the way I miss terribly) helped me become a more adventurous, dare-devil cook about two years ago I will post some of my creations in the kitchen. A lot of what I cook are family recipes, but I do venture out every once in a while. :) I also like to take away and add items to recipes I find to make them my own.

So, if you're inclined to go with me down this road, buckle up, because it might be a wild ride!

Oh, one more thing before we dive into my first recipe of the year...my sister got me a PHENOMENAL cookbook, written by The Pioneer Woman, for Christmas and she has pictures of her recipes in her book, so I am going to do the same thing. I'm such a visual learner. Maybe it'll help you too!

Super Yummy Calzone (Yoon, one of our foreign exchange students, LOVES this meal!)

What will you need?

refrigerated pizza dough - I always buy Pillsbury thin crust pizza dough. There are some store-brand items that just aren't as good as the name-brand items.
1 pound of your choice of meat - hamburger meat, diced ham, pepperonis, Italian sausage, etc.
3-4 hands full of Spinach
1 small can of tomato sauce
crushed garlic or garlic salt
diced onion or onion salt
mozzarella and Parmesan cheese
dried parsley
dried basil
EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)

Now you're wondering, how do I even make this thing?

FIRST- Place a decent sized pot on your stove and pour in about a tablespoon of EVOO.
SECOND- About two minutes later, add the spinach and stir it constantly until it's wilted. (Once you are done with this, you will seriously wonder what happened to all your spinach!) When it's wilted, remove from heat and place into a large mixing bowl to cool.
THIRD- Start browning your meat in the same pot in which you heated the spinach. Add your onion and/or garlic (the real thing or the salts) to taste and brown until done.
FOURTH- While your meat is browning, squeeze the water out of your cooled spinach. Yes, you can do this with your bare hands. Just make sure they're clean! Now, throw the spinach in your food processor for a few seconds to chop it up. Put the spinach back into the large mixing bowl and add your can of tomato sauce. Don't stir anything yet.

FIFTH- Once your meat is done, strain it and add it to your spinach and tomato sauce. Now, you may stir.

SIXTH- Add a handful of grated Parmesan cheese and a handful of mozzarella cheese to the mixture and stir. (I've even used Colby Jack and Cheddar.)
SEVENTH- Lay your pizza dough out on a rectangular, greased pan and scoop your meat/cheese/spinach/tomato sauce mixture into the middle of the dough.

EIGHTH- Fold the short ends of the dough over the mixture. Then fold the long ends of the dough over the mixture.
NINTH- Flip the calzone over, so that the folds are on the bottom of the pan, and cut two slits in the top with a knife.

TENTH- Sprinkle your basil, parsley and some more garlic salt on top of the calzone.
ELEVENTH- Stick that sucker in the oven for about 20 minutes at 400 degrees.